how to write essay about immigration

Apr 10, 2023

How To Write Essays About Immigration (With Examples)

Immigrants bring diverse perspectives and skills that can enrich our societies and economies. If you want to gain insight into the impact of immigration on society and culture, keep reading!

Immigration, a subject deeply woven into the fabric of global discussions, touches on political, economic, and social nuances. As globalization propels many to seek new horizons, understanding the multifaceted impacts of migration is crucial. Crafting a compelling essay on such a vast topic requires more than just research; it demands the delicate weaving of insights into a coherent narrative. For those keen on delivering a polished essay on immigration, considering assistance from a reliable essay writing tool can be a game-changer. This tool not only refines the craft of writing but ensures your perspectives on immigration are articulated with clarity and precision.

Here are our Top 5 Essay Examples and Ideas about Immigration:

The economic impact of immigration on host countries, introduction.

In many nations, immigration has been a hotly debated issue, with supporters and opponents disputing how it would affect the home nation. The economic impact of immigration on host countries is one of the essential components of this discussion. Immigration's economic effects may be favorable or harmful, depending on many circumstances.

This article will examine the economic effects of immigration on the receiving nations, examining both the advantages and disadvantages that immigration may have. You will better know how immigration impacts a nation's economy and the variables that influence it after this article.

Immigration's effects on labor markets

An essential component of the total economic impact of immigration is how it affects labor markets. Immigration may affect labor markets, including shifting labor supply and demand, opening new job possibilities, and perhaps affecting local employees' earnings and prospects. This section will examine how immigration affects labor markets in receiving nations.

The shift in the labor supply is one of immigration's most apparent effects on labor markets. When more employees are available in the host nation due to immigration, there may be more competition for open positions. In fields that serve immigrant populations, such as ethnic food shops or language schools, immigrants can also generate new jobs.

Another significant impact of immigration on labor markets is its effect on wages and income distribution. Some studies have suggested that immigration can reduce wages for native workers, particularly those who are less educated or have lower skill levels. 

Immigrants can also contribute to economic growth and innovation, which can positively impact labor markets. Immigrants often have unique skills, experiences, and perspectives that can help drive innovation and create new job opportunities in the host country. Furthermore, immigrants are often more entrepreneurial and more likely to start businesses, which can generate new jobs and contribute to economic growth.

The effect of immigration on wages and income distribution

The effect of immigration on wages and income distribution is a crucial area of concern in the overall economic impact of immigration. Immigration can affect wages and income distribution in various ways, which can have significant implications for both native workers and immigrants. In this section, we will explore the effect of immigration on wages and income distribution in host countries.

One of the primary ways that immigration can impact wages and income distribution is by changing the supply and demand of labor. With an influx of immigrants, the labor supply increases, which can lead to increased competition for jobs. Some studies suggest that immigration harms wages for native workers, while others offer no significant effect.

Another way that immigration can impact wages and income distribution is through its effect on the composition of the workforce. Immigrants often fill low-skilled jobs in industries such as agriculture, construction, and hospitality, which tend to pay lower wages. 

Immigration can also impact income distribution by contributing to the overall level of economic inequality in a host country. While immigration can lead to lower wages for some native workers, it can also lead to higher wages and increased economic mobility for some immigrants. Furthermore, immigrants may face various barriers to upward mobility, such as discrimination or lack of access to education and training. This can lead to increased income inequality between native and immigrant workers.

The contribution of immigrants to economic growth and innovation

Immigrants have historically played a significant role in driving economic growth and innovation in host countries. In this section, we will explore the contribution of immigrants to economic growth and innovation and the factors that enable them to do so.

One of the primary ways that immigrants contribute to economic growth is through their entrepreneurial activities. Immigrants are often more likely to start their businesses than native-born individuals, and these businesses can create jobs and drive economic growth. Immigrant entrepreneurs have contributed to developing industries such as technology, healthcare, and hospitality. Additionally, immigrants are often overrepresented in STEM fields, which is critical to driving innovation and economic growth.

Another way that immigrants contribute to economic growth is through their impact on the labor force. Immigrants tend to be more mobile than native-born individuals, which can lead to a more flexible and adaptable workforce. Immigrants also tend to fill critical roles in industries such as healthcare and agriculture, which are essential to maintaining the functioning of the economy. By filling these roles, immigrants contribute to the overall productivity and growth of the economy.

The costs and benefits of social welfare programs for immigrants

The issue of social welfare programs for immigrants has been a controversial topic in many host countries. In this section, we will explore the costs and benefits of social welfare programs for immigrants and the policy implications.

One of the primary benefits of social welfare programs for immigrants is that they can help reduce poverty and promote social inclusion. Immigrants often face significant barriers to economic mobility, such as language barriers and discrimination. Social welfare programs can help provide a safety net for those struggling to make ends meet and promote social cohesion by reducing inequalities.

However, social welfare programs for immigrants also come with costs. One concern is that these programs may attract immigrants primarily seeking to access social welfare benefits rather than contributing to the economy. This can strain public finances and create resentment among native-born individuals who feel their tax dollars are being used to support immigrants.

Another concern is that social welfare programs may create disincentives for immigrants to work and contribute to the economy. If the benefits of social welfare programs are too generous, some immigrants may choose to rely on them rather than seek employment. This can create long-term dependence and reduce overall economic productivity.

The impact of immigration on public finances and fiscal policies

The effect of immigration on public finances and fiscal policies is a topic of significant interest and debate. This section will explore how immigration affects public finances and how host countries can implement budgetary policies to manage the impact.

One way that immigration can impact public finances is through taxes. Immigrants who are employed and pay taxes can contribute to the tax base of the host country, which can provide additional revenue for public services and infrastructure. However, immigrants who are not employed or earn low wages may contribute fewer taxes, which can strain public finances. 

Fiscal policies can be used to manage the impact of immigration on public finances. One guideline is to increase taxes on immigrants to offset the costs of public services they use. However, this can create a disincentive for highly skilled and educated immigrants to migrate to the host country. Another policy is to increase spending on public services to accommodate the needs of immigrants. However, this can strain public finances and lead to resentment among native-born individuals who feel their tax dollars are being used to support immigrants.

In conclusion, the economic impact of immigration is a complex issue with both costs and benefits for host countries. Immigration can impact labor markets, wages and income distribution, economic growth and innovation, social welfare programs, public finances, and fiscal policies. 

The social and cultural implications of immigration

Immigration has social and cultural implications that affect both immigrants and host countries. The movement of people from one place to another can result in a blending of cultures, traditions, and ideas. At the same time, immigration can also result in social and cultural tensions as different groups struggle to integrate and adjust to new environments. 

The social and cultural implications of immigration have become increasingly important in today's globalized world as the movement of people across borders has become more common. In this article, we will explore the various social and cultural implications of immigration and how they impact immigrants and host communities.

The impact of immigration on social cohesion and integration

Immigration has a significant impact on social cohesion and integration in host countries. Social cohesion refers to the degree to which members of a society feel connected and share a sense of belonging. In contrast, integration refers to the process by which immigrants become a part of the host society. Immigration can either enhance or hinder social cohesion and integration, depending on how it is managed and perceived by the host society.

Another factor that can impact social cohesion and integration is the level of diversity within the host society. Increased diversity can lead to greater cultural exchange and understanding but also social tensions and the formation of segregated communities. Promoting social interaction and cooperation among diverse groups can help mitigate these tensions and promote social cohesion.

The perception of immigrants by the host society also plays a significant role in social cohesion and integration. Negative stereotypes and discriminatory attitudes can hinder integration and create barriers to social cohesion. On the other hand, positive attitudes towards immigrants and their contributions to society can facilitate integration and promote social cohesion.

The role of language and communication in the integration of immigrants

Language and communication play a crucial role in integrating immigrants into host societies. Immigrants may need the ability to communicate effectively with others to overcome significant barriers to social and economic integration. Language and communication skills are essential for accessing education, finding employment, and participating in civic life.

Language is one of the primary barriers immigrants face when integrating into a new society. Without proficiency in the host country's language, immigrants may struggle to understand instructions, participate in conversations, and access essential services. This can lead to social isolation and hinder economic opportunities.

Language training programs are one way to address this issue. Effective language training programs can help immigrants learn the host country's language and develop the communication skills necessary for successful integration. These programs can also give immigrants the cultural knowledge and understanding essential to navigate the host society.

The effect of immigration on cultural diversity and identity

Immigration can significantly impact the cultural diversity and identity of both host societies and immigrant communities. The cultural exchange resulting from immigration can enrich societies and provide opportunities for learning and growth. However, immigration can also pose challenges to preserving cultural identities and maintaining social cohesion.

One of the primary ways in which immigration affects cultural diversity and identity is through the introduction of new customs, traditions, and beliefs. Immigrant communities often bring unique cultural practices, such as food, music, and art, that can enhance the cultural landscape of the host society. Exposure to new cultures can broaden the perspectives of individuals and communities, leading to greater tolerance and understanding.

The challenges and benefits of multiculturalism in host countries

Multiculturalism refers to the coexistence of different cultural groups within a society. It is a concept that has become increasingly important in modern societies characterized by race, ethnicity, religion, and language diversity. 

Multiculturalism is often promoted to promote tolerance, social cohesion, and the celebration of diversity. 

Challenges of multiculturalism

Multiculturalism presents a range of challenges that can impact host societies. These challenges include social division, discrimination, language barriers, and cultural clashes. For example, when immigrants share different values or traditions than the host society, this can lead to misunderstandings and conflict. Similarly, language barriers can limit communication and make it difficult for immigrants to integrate into the host society.

Benefits of multiculturalism

Multiculturalism can also bring a range of benefits to host societies. These benefits include increased cultural awareness and sensitivity, economic growth, and exchanging ideas and perspectives. For example, cultural diversity can provide opportunities for host societies to learn from different cultural practices and approaches to problem-solving. This can lead to innovation and growth.

Social cohesion

Social cohesion refers to the ability of a society to function harmoniously despite differences in culture, ethnicity, religion, and language. Multiculturalism can pose a challenge to social cohesion, but it can also promote it. Host societies can foster social cohesion by promoting the acceptance and understanding of different cultural groups. This can be achieved through policies and programs that promote intercultural dialogue, education, and community-building.

Discrimination and prejudice

Multiculturalism can also increase the risk of discrimination and prejudice. Discrimination can take many forms, including racial, religious, and cultural bias. Host societies can combat discrimination by implementing anti-discrimination laws and policies and promoting diversity and inclusion.

Economic benefits

Multiculturalism can also bring economic benefits to host societies. The presence of a diverse range of skills and talents can lead to innovation and economic growth. Immigrants can also get various skills and experiences contributing to the host society's economic development.

In conclusion, immigration has significant social and cultural implications for both host countries and immigrants. It affects social cohesion, integration, cultural diversity, and identity. Host countries face challenges and benefits of multiculturalism, including economic growth, innovation, and social change.

The role of immigration in shaping national identity

Immigration has always been a significant driver of cultural and social change, with immigrants often bringing their unique identities, values, and traditions to their new homes. As a result, immigration can play a crucial role in shaping national identity, as it challenges existing cultural norms and values and introduces new ideas and perspectives. 

In this article, we will explore the role of immigration in shaping national identity, including its effects on cultural diversity, social cohesion, and political discourse. We will also discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by immigration to national identity and the importance of embracing a diverse and inclusive national identity in today's globalized world.

Immigration and the evolution of national identity

The relationship between immigration and national identity is complex, as immigration can challenge and reinforce existing national identities. As immigrants bring new cultural practices and values, they challenge the existing norms and values of the host society, prompting a re-evaluation of what it means to be part of that society. This can create a more inclusive and diverse national identity as different cultural traditions and practices are recognized and celebrated.

At the same time, the influx of new immigrants can also create a sense of fear and anxiety among some members of the host society, who may view the changes brought about by immigration as a threat to their cultural identity. This can lead to calls for stricter immigration policies and a more limited definition of national identity, which can exclude or marginalize certain groups.

The role of immigrants in shaping cultural diversity

Immigrants have played a significant role in shaping cultural diversity in many countries. Their arrival in a new land brings their customs, traditions, beliefs, and practices, which contribute to society's richness and vibrancy. 

One of the key ways in which immigrants have shaped cultural diversity is through their contributions to the local community. Immigrants bring a wealth of knowledge, skills, and talents that can benefit the societies they move to. For example, they may introduce new cuisines, music, art, and literature that add to the cultural landscape of their new home. This can create a more diverse and inclusive society where different cultures are celebrated and appreciated.

Another important aspect of cultural diversity is the challenges immigrants face when adapting to a new culture. Moving to a new country can be a daunting experience, especially if the culture is vastly different from one's own. Immigrants may struggle with language barriers, cultural norms, and social customs that are unfamiliar to them. This can lead to feelings of isolation and exclusion, which can negatively impact their mental health and well-being.

The challenges of maintaining social cohesion amidst diversity

Strengthening social cohesion amidst diversity is a complex challenge many societies face today. Cultural, ethnic, religious, and language diversity can lead to tensions and conflicts if managed poorly. 

One of the main challenges of maintaining social cohesion amidst diversity is the need to balance the interests of different groups. This involves recognizing and respecting the cultural, religious, and linguistic diversity of society while also promoting a sense of shared identity and common values. This can be particularly challenging in contexts with competing interests and power imbalances between different groups.

Another challenge is the need to address discrimination and prejudice. Discrimination can take many forms, including unequal access to education, employment, housing, hate speech, and violence. Prejudice and stereotypes can also lead to social exclusion and marginalization of certain groups. Addressing these issues requires a concerted effort from the government, civil society, and individuals to promote tolerance and respect for diversity.

Promoting inclusive policies is another crucial factor in maintaining social cohesion amidst diversity. This includes policies promoting equal opportunities for all, regardless of background. This can involve affirmative action programs, targeted social policies, and support for minority groups. Inclusive policies can also create a sense of belonging and ownership among different groups, which helps foster social cohesion.

In conclusion, immigration profoundly influences the formation of national identity. As individuals from various backgrounds merge into a new country, they not only introduce their distinct cultural and ethnic traits but also embark on a journey of personal growth and adaptation. This process mirrors the development of key skills such as leadership, character, and community service, essential for thriving in diverse environments. These attributes are not only vital for immigrants as they integrate into society but are also exemplified in successful National Honor Society essays , where personal growth and societal contribution are celebrated. Thus, the experiences of immigrants significantly enrich the societal tapestry, reflecting in our collective values, beliefs, and practices.

To sum it all up:

To recapitulate writing a five-paragraph essay about immigration can be challenging, but with the right approach and resources, it can be a rewarding experience. Throughout this article, we have discussed the various aspects of immigration that one can explore in such an essay, including the economic impact, social and cultural implications, and the evolution of national identity. 

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Eight brilliant student essays on immigration and unjust assumptions.

Read winning essays from our winter 2019 “Border (In)Security” student writing contest.

For the winter 2019 student writing competition, “Border (In)Security,” we invited students to read the YES! Magazine article “Two-Thirds of Americans Live in the “Constitution-Free Zone” by Lornet Turnbull and respond with an up-to-700-word essay. 

Students had a choice between two writing prompts for this contest on immigration policies at the border and in the “Constitution-free zone,” a 100-mile perimeter from land and sea borders where U.S. Border Patrol can search any vehicle, bus, or vessel without a warrant. They could state their positions on the impact of immigration policies on our country’s security and how we determine who is welcome to live here. Or they could write about a time when someone made an unfair assumption about them, just as Border Patrol agents have made warrantless searches of Greyhound passengers based simply on race and clothing.

The Winners

From the hundreds of essays written, these eight were chosen as winners. Be sure to read the author’s response to the essay winners and the literary gems that caught our eye.

Middle School Winner: Alessandra Serafini

High School Winner: Cain Trevino

High School Winner: Ethan Peter

University Winner: Daniel Fries

Powerful Voice Winner: Emma Hernandez-Sanchez

Powerful Voice Winner: Tiara Lewis

Powerful Voice Winner: Hailee Park

Powerful Voice Winner: Aminata Toure

From the Author Lornet Turnbull

Literary Gems

Middle school winner.

Alessandra Serafini

Brier Terrace Middle School, Brier, Wash.

Broken Promises

“…Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

These words were written by Emma Lazarus and are inscribed on the base of the Statue of Liberty. And yet, the very door they talk about is no longer available to those who need it the most. The door has been shut, chained, and guarded. It no longer shines like gold. Those seeking asylum are being turned away. Families are being split up; children are being stranded. The promise America made to those in need is broken.

Not only is the promise to asylum seekers broken, but the promises made to some 200 million people already residing within the U.S. are broken, too. Anyone within 100 miles of the United States border lives in the “Constitution-free zone” and can be searched with “reasonable suspicion,” a suspicion that is determined by Border Patrol officers. The zone encompasses major cities, such as Seattle and New York City, and it even covers entire states, such as Florida, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. I live in the Seattle area, and it is unsettling that I can be searched and interrogated without the usual warrant. In these areas, there has been an abuse of power; people have been unlawfully searched and interrogated because of assumed race or religion.

The ACLU obtained data from the Customs and Border Protection Agency that demonstrate this reprehensible profiling. The data found that “82 percent of foreign citizens stopped by agents in that state are Latino, and almost 1 in 3 of those processed are, in fact, U.S. citizens.” These warrantless searches impede the trust-building process and communication between the local population and law enforcement officers. Unfortunately, this lack of trust makes campaigns, such as Homeland Security’s “If You See Something, Say Something,” ineffective due to the actions of the department’s own members and officers. Worst of all, profiling ostracizes entire communities and makes them feel unsafe in their own country.

Ironically, asylum seekers come to America in search of safety. However, the thin veil of safety has been drawn back, and, behind it, our tarnished colors are visible. We need to welcome people in their darkest hours rather than destroy their last bit of hope by slamming the door in their faces. The immigration process is currently in shambles, and an effective process is essential for both those already in the country and those outside of it. Many asylum seekers are running from war, poverty, hunger, and death. Their countries’ instability has hijacked every aspect of their lives, made them vagabonds, and the possibility of death, a cruel and unforgiving death, is real. They see no future for their children, and they are desperate for the perceived promise of America—a promise of opportunity, freedom, and a safe future. An effective process would determine who actually needs help and then grant them passage into America. Why should everyone be turned away? My grandmother immigrated to America from Scotland in 1955. I exist because she had a chance that others are now being denied.

Emma Lazarus named Lady Liberty the “Mother of Exiles.” Why are we denying her the happiness of children? Because we cannot decide which ones? America has an inexplicable area where our constitution has been spurned and forgotten. Additionally, there is a rancorous movement to close our southern border because of a deep-rooted fear of immigrants and what they represent. For too many Americans, they represent the end of established power and white supremacy, which is their worst nightmare. In fact, immigrants do represent change—healthy change—with new ideas and new energy that will help make this country stronger. Governmental agreement on a humane security plan is critical to ensure that America reaches its full potential. We can help. We can help people in unimaginably terrifying situations, and that should be our America.

Alessandra Serafini plays on a national soccer team for Seattle United and is learning American Sign Language outside of school. Her goal is to spread awareness about issues such as climate change, poverty, and large-scale political conflict through writing and public speaking.

  High School Winner

Cain Trevino

North Side High School, Fort Worth, Texas

Xenophobia and the Constitution-Free Zone

In August of 2017, U.S. Border Patrol agents boarded a Greyhound bus that had just arrived at the White River Junction station from Boston. According to Danielle Bonadona, a Lebanon resident and a bus passenger, “They wouldn’t let us get off. They boarded the bus and told us they needed to see our IDs or papers.” Bonadona, a 29-year-old American citizen, said that the agents spent around 20 minutes on the bus and “only checked the IDs of people who had accents or were not white.” Bonadona said she was aware of the 100-mile rule, but the experience of being stopped and searched felt “pretty unconstitutional.”

In the YES! article “Two-Thirds of Americans Live in the ‘Constitution-Free Zone’” by Lornet Turnbull, the author references the ACLU’s argument that “the 100-mile zone violates Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable search and seizure.” However, the Supreme Court upholds the use of immigration checkpoints for inquiries on citizenship status. In my view, the ACLU makes a reasonable argument. The laws of the 100-mile zone are blurred, and, too often, officials give arbitrary reasons to conduct a search. Xenophobia and fear of immigrants burgeons in cities within these areas. People of color and those with accents or who are non-English speakers are profiled by law enforcement agencies that enforce anti-immigrant policies. The “Constitution-free zone” is portrayed as an effective barrier to secure our borders. However, this anti-immigrant zone does not make our country any safer. In fact, it does the opposite.

As a former student from the Houston area, I can tell you that the Constitution-free zone makes immigrants and citizens alike feel on edge. The Department of Homeland Security’s white SUVs patrol our streets. Even students feel the weight of anti-immigrant laws. Dennis Rivera Sarmiento, an undocumented student who attended Austin High School in Houston, was held by school police in February 2018 for a minor altercation and was handed over to county police. He was later picked up by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and held in a detention center. It is unfair that kids like Dennis face much harsher consequences for minor incidents than other students with citizenship.

These instances are a direct result of anti-immigrant laws. For example, the 287(g) program gives local and state police the authority to share individuals’ information with ICE after an arrest. This means that immigrants can be deported for committing misdemeanors as minor as running a red light. Other laws like Senate Bill 4, passed by the Texas Legislature, allow police to ask people about their immigration status after they are detained. These policies make immigrants and people of color feel like they’re always under surveillance and that, at any moment, they may be pulled over to be questioned and detained.

During Hurricane Harvey, the immigrant community was hesitant to go to the shelters because images of immigration authorities patrolling the area began to surface online. It made them feel like their own city was against them at a time when they needed them most. Constitution-free zones create communities of fear. For many immigrants, the danger of being questioned about immigration status prevents them from reporting crimes, even when they are the victim. Unreported crime only places more groups of people at risk and, overall, makes communities less safe.

In order to create a humane immigration process, citizens and non-citizens must hold policymakers accountable and get rid of discriminatory laws like 287(g) and Senate Bill 4. Abolishing the Constitution-free zone will also require pressure from the public and many organizations. For a more streamlined legal process, the League of United Latin American Citizens suggests background checks and a small application fee for incoming immigrants, as well as permanent resident status for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients. Other organizations propose expanding the green card lottery and asylum for immigrants escaping the dangers of their home countries.

Immigrants who come to the U.S. are only looking for an opportunity to provide for their families and themselves; so, the question of deciding who gets inside the border and who doesn’t is the same as trying to prove some people are worth more than others. The narratives created by anti-immigrant media plant the false idea that immigrants bring nothing but crime and terrorism. Increased funding for the border and enforcing laws like 287(g) empower anti-immigrant groups to vilify immigrants and promote a witch hunt that targets innocent people. This hatred and xenophobia allow law enforcement to ask any person of color or non-native English speaker about their citizenship or to detain a teenager for a minor incident. Getting rid of the 100-mile zone means standing up for justice and freedom because nobody, regardless of citizenship, should have to live under laws created from fear and hatred.

Cain Trevino is a sophomore. Cain is proud of his Mexican and Salvadorian descent and is an advocate for the implementation of Ethnic Studies in Texas. He enjoys basketball, playing the violin, and studying c omputer science. Cain plans to pursue a career in engineering at Stanford University and later earn a PhD.  

High School Winner

Ethan Peter

Kirkwood High School, Kirkwood, Mo.

I’m an expert on bussing. For the past couple of months, I’ve been a busser at a pizza restaurant near my house. It may not be the most glamorous job, but it pays all right, and, I’ll admit, I’m in it for the money.

I arrive at 5 p.m. and inspect the restaurant to ensure it is in pristine condition for the 6 p.m. wave of guests. As customers come and go, I pick up their dirty dishes, wash off their tables, and reset them for the next guests. For the first hour of my shift, the work is fairly straightforward.

I met another expert on bussing while crossing the border in a church van two years ago. Our van arrived at the border checkpoint, and an agent stopped us. She read our passports, let us through, and moved on to her next vehicle. The Border Patrol agent’s job seemed fairly straightforward.

At the restaurant, 6 p.m. means a rush of customers. It’s the end of the workday, and these folks are hungry for our pizzas and salads. My job is no longer straightforward.

Throughout the frenzy, the TVs in the restaurant buzz about waves of people coming to the U.S. border. The peaceful ebb and flow enjoyed by Border agents is disrupted by intense surges of immigrants who seek to enter the U.S. Outside forces push immigrants to the United States: wars break out in the Middle East, gangs terrorize parts of Central and South America, and economic downturns force foreigners to look to the U.S., drawn by the promise of opportunity. Refugees and migrant caravans arrive, and suddenly, a Border Patrol agent’s job is no longer straightforward.

I turn from the TVs in anticipation of a crisis exploding inside the restaurant: crowds that arrive together will leave together. I’ve learned that when a table looks finished with their dishes, I need to proactively ask to take those dishes, otherwise, I will fall behind, and the tables won’t be ready for the next customers. The challenge is judging who is finished eating. I’m forced to read clues and use my discretion.

Interpreting clues is part of a Border Patrol agent’s job, too. Lornet Turnbull states, “For example, CBP data obtained by ACLU in Michigan shows that 82 percent of foreign citizens stopped by agents in that state are Latino, and almost 1 in 3 of those processed is, in fact, a U.S. citizen.” While I try to spot customers done with their meals so I can clear their part of the table, the Border Patrol officer uses clues to detect undocumented immigrants. We both sometimes guess incorrectly, but our intentions are to do our jobs to the best of our abilities.

These situations are uncomfortable. I certainly do not enjoy interrupting a conversation to get someone’s dishes, and I doubt Border Patrol agents enjoy interrogating someone about their immigration status. In both situations, the people we mistakenly ask lose time and are subjected to awkward and uncomfortable situations. However, here’s where the busser and the Border Patrol officer’s situations are different: If I make a mistake, the customer faces a minor inconvenience. The stakes for a Border Patrol agent are much higher. Mistakenly asking for documentation and searching someone can lead to embarrassment or fear—it can even be life-changing. Thus, Border Patrol agents must be fairly certain that someone’s immigration status is questionable before they begin their interrogation.

To avoid these situations altogether, the U.S. must make the path to citizenship for immigrants easier. This is particularly true for immigrants fleeing violence. Many people object to this by saying these immigrants will bring violence with them, but data does not support this view. In 1939, a ship of Jewish refugees from Germany was turned away from the U.S.—a decision viewed negatively through the lens of history. Today, many people advocate restricting immigration for refugees from violent countries; they refuse to learn the lessons from 1939. The sad thing is that many of these immigrants are seen as just as violent as the people they are fleeing. We should not confuse the oppressed with the oppressor.

My restaurant appreciates customers because they bring us money, just as we should appreciate immigrants because they bring us unique perspectives. Equally important, immigrants provide this country with a variety of expert ideas and cultures, which builds better human connections and strengthens our society.

Ethan Peter is a junior. Ethan writes for his school newspaper, The Kirkwood Call, and plays volleyball for his high school and a club team. He hopes to continue to grow as a writer in the future. 

University Winner

Daniel Fries

Lane Community College, Eugene, Ore.

Detained on the Road to Equality

The United States is a nation of immigrants. There are currently 43 million foreign-born people living in the U.S. Millions of them are naturalized American citizens, and 23 million, or 7.2 percent of the population, are living here without documentation (US Census, 2016). One in seven residents of the United States was not born here. Multiculturalism is, and always has been, a key part of the American experience. However, romantic notions of finding a better life in the United States for immigrants and refugees don’t reflect reality. In modern history, America is a country that systematically treats immigrants—documented or not—and non-white Americans in a way that is fundamentally different than what is considered right by the majority.

The Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment states,“No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” When a suspected undocumented immigrant is detained, their basic human rights are violated. Warrantless raids on Greyhound buses within 100 miles of the border (an area referred to by some as the “Constitution-free zone”) are clear violations of human rights. These violations are not due to the current state of politics; they are the symptom of blatant racism in the United States and a system that denigrates and abuses people least able to defend themselves.

It is not surprising that some of the mechanisms that drive modern American racism are political in nature. Human beings are predisposed to dislike and distrust individuals that do not conform to the norms of their social group (Mountz, Allison). Some politicians appeal to this suspicion and wrongly attribute high crime rates to non-white immigrants. The truth is that immigrants commit fewer crimes than native-born Americans. In fact, people born in the United States are convicted of crimes at a rate twice that of undocumented non-natives (Cato Institute, 2018).

The majority of immigrants take high risks to seek a better life, giving them incentive to obey the laws of their new country. In many states, any contact with law enforcement may ultimately result in deportation and separation from family. While immigrants commit far fewer crimes, fear of violent crime by much of the U.S. population outweighs the truth. For some politicians, it is easier to sell a border wall to a scared population than it is to explain the need for reformed immigration policy. It’s easier to say that immigrants are taking people’s jobs than explain a changing global economy and its effect on employment. The only crime committed in this instance is discrimination.

Human rights are violated when an undocumented immigrant—or someone perceived as an undocumented immigrant—who has not committed a crime is detained on a Greyhound bus. When a United States citizen is detained on the same bus, constitutional rights are being violated. The fact that this happens every day and that we debate its morality makes it abundantly clear that racism is deeply ingrained in this country. Many Americans who have never experienced this type of oppression lack the capacity to understand its lasting effect. Most Americans don’t know what it’s like to be late to work because they were wrongfully detained, were pulled over by the police for the third time that month for no legal reason, or had to coordinate legal representation for their U.S. citizen grandmother because she was taken off a bus for being a suspected undocumented immigrant. This oppression is cruel and unnecessary.

America doesn’t need a wall to keep out undocumented immigrants; it needs to seriously address how to deal with immigration. It is possible to reform the current system in such a way that anyone can become a member of American society, instead of existing outside of it. If a person wants to live in the United States and agrees to follow its laws and pay its taxes, a path to citizenship should be available.

People come to the U.S. from all over the world for many reasons. Some have no other choice. There are ongoing humanitarian crises in Syria, Yemen, and South America that are responsible for the influx of immigrants and asylum seekers at our borders. If the United States wants to address the current situation, it must acknowledge the global factors affecting the immigrants at the center of this debate and make fact-informed decisions. There is a way to maintain the security of America while treating migrants and refugees compassionately, to let those who wish to contribute to our society do so, and to offer a hand up instead of building a wall.

Daniel Fries studies computer science. Daniel has served as a wildland firefighter in Oregon, California, and Alaska. He is passionate about science, nature, and the ways that technology contributes to making the world a better, more empathetic, and safer place.

Powerful Voice Winner

Emma Hernandez-Sanchez

Wellness, Business and Sports School, Woodburn, Ore.

An Emotion an Immigrant Knows Too Well

Before Donald Trump’s campaign, I was oblivious to my race and the idea of racism. As far as I knew, I was the same as everyone else. I didn’t stop to think about our different-colored skins. I lived in a house with a family and attended school five days a week just like everyone else. So, what made me different?

Seventh grade was a very stressful year—the year that race and racism made an appearance in my life. It was as if a cold splash of water woke me up and finally opened my eyes to what the world was saying. It was this year that Donald Trump started initiating change about who got the right to live in this country and who didn’t. There was a lot of talk about deportation, specifically for Mexicans, and it sparked commotion and fear in me.

I remember being afraid and nervous to go out. At home, the anxiety was there but always at the far back of my mind because I felt safe inside. My fear began as a small whisper, but every time I stepped out of my house, it got louder. I would have dreams about the deportation police coming to my school; when I went to places like the library, the park, the store, or the mall, I would pay attention to everyone and to my surroundings. In my head, I would always ask myself, “Did they give us nasty looks?,” “Why does it seem quieter?” “Was that a cop I just saw?” I would notice little things, like how there were only a few Mexicans out or how empty a store was. When my mom went grocery shopping, I would pray that she would be safe. I was born in America, and both my parents were legally documented. My mom was basically raised here. Still, I couldn’t help but feel nervous.

I knew I shouldn’t have been afraid, but with one look, agents could have automatically thought my family and I were undocumented. Even when the deportation police would figure out that we weren’t undocumented, they’d still figure out a way to deport us—at least that was what was going through my head. It got so bad that I didn’t even want to do the simplest things like go grocery shopping because there was a rumor that the week before a person was taken from Walmart.

I felt scared and nervous, and I wasn’t even undocumented. I can’t even imagine how people who are undocumented must have felt, how they feel. All I can think is that it’s probably ten times worse than what I was feeling. Always worrying about being deported and separated from your family must be hard. I was living in fear, and I didn’t even have it that bad. My heart goes out to families that get separated from each other. It’s because of those fears that I detest the “Constitution-free zone.”

Legally documented and undocumented people who live in the Constitution-free zone are in constant fear of being deported. People shouldn’t have to live this way. In fact, there have been arguments that the 100-mile zone violates the Fourth Amendment, which gives people the right to be protected from unreasonable searches and seizures of property by the government. Unfortunately, the U.S. Supreme Court has consistently upheld these practices.

One question that Lornet Turnbull asks in her YES! article “Two-Thirds of Americans Live in the ‘Constitution-Free Zone’” is, “How should we decide who is welcome in the U.S and who is not?” Instead of focusing on immigrants, how about we focus on the people who shoot up schools, rape girls, exploit women for human sex trafficking, and sell drugs? These are the people who make our country unsafe; they are the ones who shouldn’t be accepted. Even if they are citizens and have the legal right to live here, they still shouldn’t be included. If they are the ones making this country unsafe, then what gives them the right to live here?

I don’t think that the Constitution-free zone is an effective and justifiable way to make this country more “secure.” If someone isn’t causing any trouble in the United States and is just simply living their life, then they should be welcomed here. We shouldn’t have to live in fear that our rights will be taken away. I believe that it’s unfair for people to automatically think that it’s the Hispanics that make this country unsafe. Sure, get all the undocumented people out of the United States, but it’s not going to make this country any safer. It is a society that promotes violence that makes us unsafe, not a race.

Emma Hernandez-Sanchez is a freshman who is passionate about literature and her education. Emma wan ts to inspire others to be creative and try their best. She enjoys reading and creating stories that spark imagination. 

  Powerful Voice Winner

Tiara Lewis

Columbus City Preparatory Schools for Girls,

Columbus, Ohio

Hold Your Head High and Keep Those Fists Down

How would you feel if you walked into a store and salespeople were staring at you? Making you feel like you didn’t belong. Judging you. Assuming that you were going to take something, even though you might have $1,000 on you to spend. Sometimes it doesn’t matter. This is because people will always judge you. It might not be because of your race but for random reasons, like because your hair is black instead of dirty blonde. Or because your hair is short and not long. Or just because they are having a bad day. People will always find ways to bring you down and accuse you of something, but that doesn’t mean you have to go along with it.

Every time I entered a store, I would change my entire personality. I would change the way I talked and the way I walked. I always saw myself as needing to fit in. If a store was all pink, like the store Justice, I would act like a girly girl. If I was shopping in a darker store, like Hot Topic, I would hum to the heavy metal songs and act more goth. I had no idea that I was feeding into stereotypes.

When I was 11, I walked into Claire’s, a well-known store at the mall. That day was my sister’s birthday. Both of us were really happy and had money to spend. As soon as we walked into the store, two employees stared me and my sister down, giving us cold looks. When we went to the cashier to buy some earrings, we thought everything was fine. However, when we walked out of the store, there was a policeman and security guards waiting. At that moment, my sister and I looked at one another, and I said, in a scared little girl voice, “I wonder what happened? Why are they here?”

Then, they stopped us. We didn’t know what was going on. The same employee that cashed us out was screaming as her eyes got big, “What did you steal?” I was starting to get numb. Me and my sister looked at each other and told the truth: “We didn’t steal anything. You can check us.” They rudely ripped through our bags and caused a big scene. My heart was pounding like a drum. I felt violated and scared. Then, the policeman said, “Come with us. We need to call your parents.” While this was happening, the employees were talking to each other, smiling. We got checked again. The police said that they were going to check the cameras, but after they were done searching us, they realized that we didn’t do anything wrong and let us go about our day.

Walking in the mall was embarrassing—everybody staring, looking, and whispering as we left the security office. This made me feel like I did something wrong while knowing I didn’t. We went back to the store to get our shopping bags. The employees sneered, “Don’t you niggers ever come in this store again. You people always take stuff. This time you just got lucky.” Their faces were red and frightening. It was almost like they were in a scary 3D movie, screaming, and coming right at us. I felt hurt and disappointed that someone had the power within them to say something so harsh and wrong to another person. Those employees’ exact words will forever be engraved in my memory.

In the article, “Two-Thirds of Americans Live in the ‘Constitution-Free Zone’,” Lornet Turnbull states, “In January, they stopped a man in Indio, California, as he was boarding a Los Angeles-bound bus. While questioning this man about his immigration status, agents told him his ‘shoes looked suspicious,’ like those of someone who had recently crossed the border.” They literally judged him by his shoes. They had no proof of anything. If a man is judged by his shoes, who else and what else are being judged in the world?

In the novel  To Kill a Mockingbird , a character named Atticus states, “You just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anybody says to you, don’t you let’em get your goat. Try fighting with your head for a change.” No matter how much you might try to change yourself, your hairstyle, and your clothes, people will always make assumptions about you. However, you never need to change yourself to make a point or to feel like you fit in. Be yourself. Don’t let those stereotypes turn into facts.

Tiara Lewis is in the eighth grade. Tiara plays the clarinet and is trying to change the world— one essay at a time. She is most often found curled up on her bed, “Divergent” in one hand and a cream-filled doughnut in the other.

Hailee Park

 Wielding My Swords

If I were a swordsman, my weapons would be my identities. I would wield one sword in my left hand and another in my right. People expect me to use both fluently, but I’m not naturally ambidextrous. Even though I am a right-handed swordsman, wielding my dominant sword with ease, I must also carry a sword in my left, the heirloom of my family heritage. Although I try to live up to others’ expectations by using both swords, I may appear inexperienced while attempting to use my left. In some instances, my heirloom is mistaken for representing different families’ since the embellishments look similar.

Many assumptions are made about my heirloom sword based on its appearance, just as many assumptions are made about me based on my physical looks. “Are you Chinese?” When I respond with ‘no,’ they stare at me blankly in confusion. There is a multitude of Asian cultures in the United States, of which I am one. Despite what many others may assume, I am not Chinese; I am an American-born Korean.

“Then… are you Japanese?” Instead of asking a broader question, like “What is your ethnicity?,” they choose to ask a direct question. I reply that I am Korean. I like to think that this answers their question sufficiently; however, they think otherwise. Instead, I take this as their invitation to a duel.

They attack me with another question: “Are you from North Korea or South Korea?” I don’t know how to respond because I’m not from either of those countries; I was born in America. I respond with “South Korea,” where my parents are from because I assume that they’re asking me about my ethnicity. I’m not offended by this situation because I get asked these questions frequently. From this experience, I realize that people don’t know how to politely ask questions about identity to those unlike them. Instead of asking “What is your family’s ethnicity?,” many people use rude alternatives, such as “Where are you from?,” or “What language do you speak?”

When people ask these questions, they make assumptions based on someone’s appearance. In my case, people make inferences like:

“She must be really good at speaking Korean.”

“She’s Asian; therefore, she must be born in Asia.”

“She’s probably Chinese.”

These thoughts may appear in their heads because making assumptions is natural. However, there are instances when assumptions can be taken too far. Some U.S. Border Patrol agents in the “Constitution-free zone” have made similar assumptions based on skin color and clothing. For example, agents marked someone as an undocumented immigrant because “his shoes looked suspicious, like those of someone who had recently crossed the border.”

Another instance was when a Jamaican grandmother was forced off a bus when she was visiting her granddaughter. The impetus was her accent and the color of her skin. Government officials chose to act on their assumptions, even though they had no solid proof that the grandmother was an undocumented immigrant. These situations just touch the surface of the issue of racial injustice in America.

When someone makes unfair assumptions about me, they are pointing their sword and challenging me to a duel; I cannot refuse because I am already involved. It is not appropriate for anyone, including Border Patrol agents, to make unjustified assumptions or to act on those assumptions. Border Patrol agents have no right to confiscate the swords of the innocent solely based on their conjectures. The next time I’m faced with a situation where racially ignorant assumptions are made about me, I will refuse to surrender my sword, point it back at them, and triumphantly fight their ignorance with my cultural pride.

Hailee Park is an eighth grader who enjoys reading many genres. While reading, Hailee recognized the racial injustices against immigrants in America, which inspired her essay. Hailee plays violin in her school’s orchestra and listens to and composes music. 

Aminata Toure

East Harlem School, New York City, N.Y.

We Are Still Dreaming

As a young Muslim American woman, I have been labeled things I am not: a terrorist, oppressed, and an ISIS supporter. I have been accused of planning 9/11, an event that happened before I was born. Lately, in the media, Muslims have been portrayed as supporters of a malevolent cause, terrorizing others just because they do not have the same beliefs. I often scoff at news reports that portray Muslims in such a light, just as I scoff at all names I’ve been labeled. They are words that do not define me. 

In a land where labels have stripped immigrants of their personalities, they are now being stripped of something that makes them human: their rights. The situation described in Lornet Turnbull’s article, “Two-Thirds of Americans are Living in the ‘Constitution-Free Zone’,” goes directly against the Constitution, the soul of this country, something that asserts that we are all equal before the law. If immigrants do not have protection from the Constitution, is there any way to feel safe?

Although most insults are easy to shrug off, they are still threatening. I am ashamed when I feel afraid to go to the mosque. Friday is an extremely special day when we gather together to pray, but lately, I haven’t been going to the mosque for Jummah prayers. I have realized that I can never feel safe when in a large group of Muslims because of the widespread hatred of Muslims in the United States, commonly referred to as Islamophobia. Police surround our mosque, and there are posters warning us about dangerous people who might attack our place of worship because we have been identified as terrorists.

I wish I could tune out every news report that blasts out the headline “Terrorist Attack!” because I know that I will be judged based on the actions of someone else. Despite this anti-Muslim racism, what I have learned from these insults is that I am proud of my faith. I am a Muslim, but being Muslim doesn’t define me. I am a writer, a student, a dreamer, a friend, a New Yorker, a helper, and an American. I am unapologetically me, a Muslim, and so much more. I definitely think everyone should get to know a Muslim. They would see that some of us are also Harry Potter fans, not just people planning to bomb the White House.

Labels are unjustly placed on us because of the way we speak, the color of our skin, and what we believe in—not for who we are as individuals. Instead, we should all take more time to get to know one another. As Martin Luther King Jr. said in his “I Have a Dream” speech, we should be judged by the content of our character and not the color of our skin. To me, it seems Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream is a dream that should be a reality. But, for now, we are dreaming.

Aminata Toure is a Guinean American Muslim student. Aminata loves spoken-word poetry and performs in front of hundreds of people at her school’s annual poetry slam. She loves writing, language, history, and West African food and culture. Aminata wants to work at the United Nations when she grows up.

From the Author 

Dear Alessandra, Cain, Daniel, Tiara, Emma, Hailee, Aminata and Ethan,

I am moved and inspired by the thought each of you put into your responses to my story about this so-called “Constitution-free zone.” Whether we realize it or not, immigration in this country impacts all of us— either because we are immigrants ourselves, have neighbors, friends, and family who are, or because we depend on immigrants for many aspects of our lives—from the food we put on our tables to the technology that bewitches us. It is true that immigrants enrich our society in so many important ways, as many of you point out.

And while the federal statute that permits U.S. Border Patrol officers to stop and search at will any of the 200 million of us in this 100-mile shadow border, immigrants have been their biggest targets. In your essays, you highlight how unjust the law is—nothing short of racial profiling. It is heartening to see each of you, in your own way, speaking out against the unfairness of this practice.

Alessandra, you are correct, the immigration system in this country is in shambles. You make a powerful argument about how profiling ostracizes entire communities and how the warrantless searches allowed by this statute impede trust-building between law enforcement and the people they are called on to serve.

And Cain, you point out how this 100-mile zone, along with other laws in the state of Texas where you attended school, make people feel like they’re “always under surveillance, and that, at any moment, you may be pulled over to be questioned and detained.” It seems unimaginable that people live their lives this way, yet millions in this country do.

You, Emma, for example, speak of living in a kind of silent fear since Donald Trump took office, even though you were born in this country and your parents are here legally. You are right, “We shouldn’t have to live in fear that our rights will be taken away.”

And Aminata, you write of being constantly judged and labeled because you’re a Muslim American. How unfortunate and sad that in a country that generations of people fled to search for religious freedom, you are ashamed at times to practice your own. The Constitution-free zone, you write, “goes directly against the Constitution, the soul of this country, something that asserts that we are all equal before the law.”

Tiara, I could personally relate to your gripping account of being racially profiled and humiliated in a store. You were appalled that the Greyhound passenger in California was targeted by Border Patrol because they claimed his shoes looked like those of someone who had walked across the border: “If a man is judged by his shoes,” you ask, “who else and what else are getting judged in the world?”

Hailee, you write about the incorrect assumptions people make about you, an American born of Korean descent, based solely on your appearance and compared it to the assumptions Border Patrol agents make about those they detain in this zone.

Daniel, you speak of the role of political fearmongering in immigration. It’s not new, but under the current administration, turning immigrants into boogiemen for political gain is currency. You write that “For some politicians, it is easier to sell a border wall to a scared population than it is to explain the need for reformed immigration policy.”

And Ethan, you recognize the contributions immigrants make to this country through the connections we all make with them and the strength they bring to our society.

Keep speaking your truth. Use your words and status to call out injustice wherever and whenever you see it. Untold numbers of people spoke out against this practice by Border Patrol and brought pressure on Greyhound to change. In December, the company began offering passengers written guidance—in both Spanish and English—so they understand what their rights are when officers board their bus. Small steps, yes, but progress nonetheless, brought about by people just like you, speaking up for those who sometimes lack a voice to speak up for themselves.

With sincere gratitude,

Lornet Turnbull

Lornet Turnbull is an editor for YES! and a Seattle-based freelance writer. Follow her on Twitter  @TurnbullL .

We received many outstanding essays for the Winter 2019 Student Writing Competition. Though not every participant can win the contest, we’d like to share some excerpts that caught our eye:

After my parents argued with the woman, they told me if you can fight with fists, you prove the other person’s point, but when you fight with the power of your words, you can have a much bigger impact. I also learned that I should never be ashamed of where I am from. —Fernando Flores, The East Harlem School, New York City, N.Y.

Just because we were born here and are privileged to the freedom of our country, we do not have the right to deprive others of a chance at success. —Avalyn Cox, Brier Terrace Middle School, Brier, Wash.

Maybe, rather than a wall, a better solution to our immigration problem would be a bridge. —Sean Dwyer, Lane Community College, Eugene, Ore.

If anything, what I’ve learned is that I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how to change our world. I don’t know how to make a difference, how to make my voice heard. But I have learned the importance of one word, a simple two-letter word that’s taught to the youngest of us, a word we all know but never recognize: the significance of ‘we.’ —Enna Chiu, Highland Park High School, Highland Park, N.J.

Not to say the Border Patrol should not have authorization to search people within the border, but I am saying it should be near the border, more like one mile, not 100. —Cooper Tarbuck, Maranacook Middle School, Manchester, Maine.

My caramel color, my feminism, my Spanish and English language, my Mexican culture, and my young Latina self gives me the confidence to believe in myself, but it can also teach others that making wrong assumptions about someone because of their skin color, identity, culture, looks or gender can make them look and be weaker. —Ana Hernandez, The East Harlem School, New York City, N.Y.

We don’t need to change who we are to fit these stereotypes like someone going on a diet to fit into a new pair of pants. —Kaylee Meyers, Brier Terrace Middle School, Brier, Wash.

If a human being with no criminal background whatsoever has trouble entering the country because of the way he or she dresses or speaks, border protection degenerates into arbitrariness. —Jonas Schumacher, Heidelberg University of Education, Heidelberg, Germany

I believe that you should be able to travel freely throughout your own country without the constant fear of needing to prove that you belong here . —MacKenzie Morgan, Lincoln Middle School, Ypsilanti, Mich.

America is known as “the Land of Opportunity,” but this label is quickly disappearing. If we keep stopping those striving for a better life, then what will become of this country? —Ennyn Chiu, Highland Park Middle School, Highland Park, N.J.

The fact that two-thirds of the people in the U.S. are living in an area called the “Constitution-free zone” is appalling. Our Constitution was made to protect our rights as citizens, no matter where we are in the country. These systems that we are using to “secure” our country are failing, and we need to find a way to change them. —Isis Liaw, Brier Terrace Middle School, Brier, Wash.

I won’t let anyone, especially a man, tell me what I can do, because I am a strong Latina. I will represent where I come from, and I am proud to be Mexican. I will show others that looks can be deceiving. I will show others that even the weakest animal, a beautiful butterfly, is tough, and it will cross any border, no matter how challenging the journey may be. —Brittany Leal, The East Harlem School, New York City, N.Y.

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101 Immigration Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Immigration has been a hot-button issue in recent years, with debates raging over border security, refugee resettlement, and the economic impact of immigration. If you're tasked with writing an essay on immigration, you may be struggling to come up with a topic that is both interesting and relevant. To help you get started, we've compiled a list of 101 immigration essay topic ideas and examples to inspire your writing.

• The history of immigration in the United States
• The impact of immigration on American culture
• Immigration policies and their effects on immigrant communities
• The economic benefits of immigration
• The social challenges faced by immigrants
• The role of immigration in the labor market
• Immigration and crime rates
• The ethics of border enforcement
• The challenges faced by undocumented immigrants
• The impact of immigration on public health
• The experience of refugee resettlement
• The impact of immigration on education
• Immigration and the environment
• The politics of immigration reform
• The role of immigration in shaping national identity
• The impact of immigration on urban development
• Immigration and globalization
• The impact of immigration on family dynamics
• The role of immigration in the spread of disease
• The impact of immigration on social welfare programs
• Immigration and human trafficking
• The impact of immigration on rural communities
• Immigration and the criminal justice system
• The impact of immigration on housing markets
• The role of immigration in international relations
• Immigration and national security
• The impact of immigration on healthcare systems
• Immigration and labor rights
• The impact of immigration on income inequality
• The role of immigration in shaping political ideologies
• Immigration and climate change
• The impact of immigration on technology and innovation
• Immigration and economic development
• The role of immigration in addressing demographic challenges
• Immigration and social mobility
• The impact of immigration on language diversity
• Immigration and social cohesion
• The role of immigration in shaping cultural identity
• Immigration and food culture
• The impact of immigration on public transportation
• Immigration and urban planning
• The role of immigration in revitalizing declining communities
• Immigration and gentrification
• The impact of immigration on small businesses
• Immigration and entrepreneurship
• The role of immigration in addressing labor shortages
• Immigration and education disparities
• The impact of immigration on rural economies
• Immigration and agricultural production
• The role of immigration in addressing healthcare shortages
• Immigration and environmental conservation
• The impact of immigration on social services
• Immigration and income inequality
• The role of immigration in cultural exchange
• Immigration and the arts
• The impact of immigration on sports
• Immigration and media representation
• The role of immigration in shaping public opinion
• Immigration and social media
• The impact of immigration on voting patterns
• Immigration and civic engagement
• The role of immigration in community organizing
• Immigration and social justice movements
• The impact of immigration on political participation
• Immigration and activism
• The role of immigration in shaping public policy
• Immigration and civil rights
• The impact of immigration on political polarization
• Immigration and the role of government
• The role of immigration in international development
• Immigration and conflict resolution
• The impact of immigration on peacebuilding efforts
• Immigration and humanitarian aid
• The role of immigration in addressing global challenges
• Immigration and sustainable development
• The impact of immigration on human rights
• Immigration and social change
• The role of immigration in promoting diversity
• Immigration and cultural preservation
• The impact of immigration on indigenous communities
• Immigration and gender equality
• The role of immigration in addressing social inequalities
• Immigration and intergenerational mobility
• The impact of immigration on social cohesion
• Immigration and social welfare
• The role of immigration in addressing poverty
• Immigration and social justice
• The impact of immigration on human development
• Immigration and social inclusion
• The role of immigration in promoting social progress
• Immigration and social integration
• The impact of immigration on community resilience
• Immigration and disaster response
• The role of immigration in addressing humanitarian crises
• Immigration and conflict prevention
• The impact of immigration on peacebuilding
• Immigration and human security
• The role of immigration in promoting global peace
• Immigration and international cooperation
• The impact of immigration on sustainable development goals
• Immigration and the future of humanity

These are just a few examples of the many immigration essay topics you could explore in your writing. Whether you're interested in the social, economic, political, or cultural aspects of immigration, there is no shortage of compelling topics to explore. So pick a topic that resonates with you, do some research, and start writing!

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5 Essays about Immigration

According to the UN, the number of international migrants surpassed 270 million in 2019. This represents an increase of 51 million since 2010. Nearly half of all international migrants moved to one of 10 countries. 19% of the world’s total immigrant population lives in the United States. One of every seven international migrants is younger than 20 years old. What are the stories behind these statistics? What does the world think of immigrants? To start answering these questions, here are five essays about immigration:

“Out of Eden Walk” (2013-present) – Paul Salopek

At the time of this 2019 essay, Paul Salopek has been walking for seven years. In 2013, he started from an ancient fossil site north of Ethiopia. His plan? Cover 21,000 miles over ten years, retracing humankind’s walk out of Africa. While he’s walking through the past, his project is also timely. Numbers-wise, we’re living with the largest diaspora in human history. More than 1 billion people are on the move, both within their own countries and beyond borders. During his journey, Salopek covers climate change, technological innovation, mass migration, and more. Through essays, photographs, audio, and video, he creates a vivid tapestry of stories from people rarely heard from. This essay is a great introduction to Salopek’s “slow journalism.” You can find more at OutofEdenWalk.org.

Journalist and writer Paul Salopek is a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner. He has reported for publications like The Atlantic and National Geographic Magazine. John Stanmeyer, who took the photos for this essay, is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker and photographer.

“Mohsin Hamid: why migration is a fundamental human right” (2014)

Author Mohsin Hamid was born in Pakistan and educated in the US. He lives in the UK. In this essay, he explains how he wishes for “a world without borders.” He believes the right to migrate (which includes emigration and immigration) is as vital as other human rights, like freedom of expression. People have always moved, crossing borders and sharing cultures. Humans are also migrants in that simply by living, we move through time. Unfortunately, this human right has been denied all over the world. Hamid looks forward to a day when migration is respected and welcomed.

Mohsin Hamid is the author of several books, including Discontent and Its Civilizations: Dispatches from Lahore, New York, and London. He writes both fiction and nonfiction.

“I’m a Dreamer. Ask my 80+ Employees if I should be deported.” (2020) – Victor Santos

Young and brilliant, Victor Santos is the founder of Airfox, a Boston-based tech startup. On the surface, Santos is living the American Dream. In this essay in the Boston Globe, he describes that for the past 10 years, he’s worried about ICE taking him away. He’s an undocumented immigrant dependent on DACA. Santos briefly describes his experience growing up in the US, working through college, and getting opportunities because of DACA. Following the publication of this piece, the Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration cannot immediately end DACA. For now, Santos and the other hundreds of thousands of Dreamers are protected.

Victor Santos is the founder and CEO of Airfox, a loan app that uses mobile data to estimate credit risk. He was on the list of MIT Technology Review in Spanish’s Innovators Under 35 Latin America 2018.

“My Life As An Undocumented Immigrant” (2011) – Jose Antonio Vargas

Vargas opens this essay describing how, at 12-years old, he left the Philippines for the US in 1993. At 16, while going to get his driver’s permit, he was told his green card was fake. He realized he was undocumented. In this essay from 2011, partially inspired by four students who walked from Miami to Washington to lobby for the DREAM Act, he spoke out. The essay describes Vargas’ life and career in America, navigating the system with his secret. It’s a vivid, personal look at Vargas’ experience of “hiding” in plain sight and an act of courage as he owns his story.

Jose Antonio Vargas is a former reporter for the Washington Post. He shared a Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the Virginia Tech shooting. He is also a filmmaker, writer, and immigrant rights activist. He founded Define American, a nonprofit that strives for dialogue about immigration, in 2011.

“A Young Immigrant Has Mental Illness, And That’s Raising His Risk of Being Deported” – Christine Herman

Immigrants, especially undocumented immigrants, deal with a variety of challenges. One of them is the mental health care system. Those with untreated mental illnesses are at higher risk of getting in trouble with the law. When the person who is mentally ill is also undocumented, things get even more complicated. Deportation to a country with an even worse mental healthcare system could be a death sentence. This story from NPR is about a specific family, but it highlights issues that affect many.

Christine Herman is Ph.D. chemist and award-winning audio journalist. She’s a 2018-2019 recipient of a Rosalyn Carter fellowship for mental health journalism.

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About the author, emmaline soken-huberty.

Emmaline Soken-Huberty is a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon. She started to become interested in human rights while attending college, eventually getting a concentration in human rights and humanitarianism. LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, and climate change are of special concern to her. In her spare time, she can be found reading or enjoying Oregon’s natural beauty with her husband and dog.

College Nut

College Essays on Immigration: Crafting a Compelling Narrative

The significance of immigration in college essays.

Immigration has always been a hot-button issue in the United States, and in recent years, it has been at the forefront of national discourse. The country has seen a steady stream of immigrants from all over the world, and they have contributed significantly to the nation’s economic, social, and cultural development. For college applicants, writing about their immigration experiences can be a powerful way to showcase their unique perspectives and demonstrate their resilience, determination, and adaptability. However, crafting a compelling essay on immigration is not easy, and it requires a deep understanding of the topic, a clear narrative structure, and excellent writing skills.

The Dos and Don’ts of Writing College Essays on Immigration

When it comes to writing college essays on immigration, there are a few dos and don’ts that you should keep in mind. Here are some tips to help you craft a successful essay:

• Do tell a personal story that highlights your immigration experience.
• Do focus on your strengths, resilience, and determination.
• Do showcase your unique perspective and how it has shaped your identity.
• Do highlight how your immigration experience has influenced your academic and career goals.
• Do show how you can contribute to the college community.
• Don’t write a sob story or use your immigration experience as an excuse for poor grades or test scores.
• Don’t generalize or stereotype your culture or community.
• Don’t write a political essay or use your essay to argue for or against immigration policies.
• Don’t use clichés or overused phrases such as “the American Dream” or “land of opportunity.”

Crafting a Compelling Narrative

The most critical element of a successful college essay on immigration is a compelling narrative. Your story should be personal, authentic, and engaging. Here are some tips to help you craft a narrative that stands out:

Start with a hook

Your introduction should grab the reader’s attention and make them want to read more. You could start with a surprising fact, a quote, an anecdote, or a rhetorical question.

Tell a personal story

Your essay should focus on your immigration experience and how it has shaped your identity and aspirations. Your story should be unique, specific, and honest.

Use vivid imagery and sensory details

To make your story come alive, use descriptive language, and sensory details that help the reader imagine the scene. Don’t just tell them what happened; show them.

Show, don’t tell

Instead of just stating your strengths or accomplishments, show how you have demonstrated them through your actions, experiences, or challenges.

Connect your story to the college

Your essay should demonstrate how your immigration experience has prepared you for college and how you can contribute to the college community. You could research the college’s mission, values, and programs to show how they align with your goals and aspirations.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When writing about immigration, there are some common mistakes that applicants make. Here are some things to avoid:

Pity parties

Don’t use your immigration experience as an excuse for poor grades, test scores, or other shortcomings. Instead, focus on your strengths and how you have overcome challenges.

Stereotyping

Don’t generalize or stereotype your culture or community. Instead, focus on your personal experience and how it has shaped your identity and aspirations.

Political essays

Don’t write a political essay or use your essay to argue for or against immigration policies. Instead, focus on your personal story and how it has prepared you for college and beyond.

Avoid overused phrases such as “the American Dream” or “land of opportunity.” Instead, use your own voice and language to tell your unique story.

Writing a college essay on immigration can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By following these dos and don’ts and crafting a compelling narrative, you can showcase your unique perspective and demonstrate your resilience, determination, and adaptability. Remember to stay authentic, specific, and honest, and to connect your story to the college’s mission, values, and programs. Good luck!

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Writing about the Immigrant Experience

Sep 23, 2021 by Tammy Pasterick published in Writing

Immigration is an emotional topic that can turn the friendliest of conversations into a fierce debate. People have wide-ranging views that have been shaped by their own experiences, the opinions of friends, and the news programs they watch. Writing about the immigrant experience requires a lot of nuance and attention to detail.

Seven years ago, when I started writing my historical novel, I was not paying close attention to the news coverage of the migrants at the Mexican border or the Syrian refugees crossing the Aegean Sea to get to Greece. I had been inspired by my research into the lives of my great-grandparents, who immigrated to America at the turn of the twentieth century to work in the steel mills of Pittsburgh, and simply wanted to recreate their world in a novel. 

I did not anticipate that my genealogy project turned historical novel would have so many parallels with today’s immigration issues and would provide such a relevant and timely message about empathy.

I’m an American. I was born and raised in Western Pennsylvania and have lived in Maryland for the past twenty years. I cannot speak to the challenges faced by today’s immigrants nor have I considered telling their stories. People who have ridden Mexico’s La Bestia or who have recently fled the Taliban rule in Afghanistan have heartbreaking stories to tell, and I am not qualified to provide advice on how to write a memoir. 

My expertise lies in historical research and novel writing, and I have learned some important lessons about how to write about the immigrant experience from the past and pay tribute to their unique sacrifices. 

Whether your ancestors were from Italy, Ireland, Egypt, or Argentina, the following tips will help you bring your family’s past to life while taking readers on an entertaining and emotional journey in writing about the immigrant experience.

Research your family history.

Conducting research into your family’s past is the first step in writing about the immigrant experience. Websites like Ancestry.com and MyHeritage.com have a wealth of birth, marriage, military, and death records as well as ship manifestos and census information. These documents may reveal some fascinating facts about your ancestors and spark your imagination. 

While I was on Ancestry.com, I found the World War II draft registration card for my Lithuanian great-grandfather, who was in his early fifties at the time he signed it. I’ve often wondered what motivated his bravery, as his advanced age exempted him from the draft. Was he hoping to return to Europe to find a lost love or a child he gave up for adoption? Was he seeking revenge on the Germans for killing his best friend during World War I? I may never know, but these theories are all good premises for a novel.

Research the time period.

The world you create in your novel should be historically accurate, so read as much as you can about life in the time and place your immigrants settled. In my case, I read excerpts from The Pittsburgh Survey, a sociological study conducted from 1907-1908, which chronicled the living conditions of immigrant families. I also consulted several books about the steel and coal mining industries in Pennsylvania in the early 1900s. 

While there is more freedom in writing fiction than non-fiction, you should still try to educate readers as you entertain them. Just be careful not to weigh your story down with too many unnecessary details. It takes time to achieve the right balance, and you’ll most likely master this during the editing process.

Be careful when writing dialogue.

Dialogue is tough for all writers, but it’s especially challenging when writing historical fiction—even more so when your characters are speaking a foreign language. You need to stick to a certain style when your immigrants are speaking to each other in their native tongue and another style when they’re struggling to converse in a second language. 

For instance, characters who are learning English might misuse words and only speak in the present tense. They might also stutter or pause repeatedly when telling a story. When immigrant characters are speaking to each other in their native language, simply insert tags like “he said in Slovak” to alert readers that the conversation is occurring in another language. You won’t need to manufacture mistakes in these situations since people generally speak their first language effortlessly.

Sprinkle in world events, politics, and societal conflicts that affect the immigrant experience.

In my opinion, the best historical novels always have characters struggling with both internal and external forces. In Dr. Zhivago , for instance, Yuri Zhivago falls in love with a beautiful young nurse while married to his childhood sweetheart. He wrestles with his feelings and his conscience while the events of World War I and the Bolshevik Revolution tear his world—and his family—apart. 

If your story takes place in a turbulent time, include those events. Providing a portrait of the larger world will help readers gain a deeper understanding of your immigrants’ struggles. 

In my novel, the primary focus is on the relationships within the immigrant family, but I also show how the labor movement, social inequality, anti-immigration sentiment, and the deplorable working conditions in the steel and coal mining industries impact their lives.

Add plenty of drama!

Historical fiction readers are looking for an escape to the past. They want to be taken on an emotional journey while learning about a specific time period or world event. While it may be tempting to include every fact you uncovered about Chinese immigrants building the transcontinental railway, don’t do it. Your novel will turn into a history book. 

Drama is the key to good historical fiction, and your book should have plenty of it. You want your readers to laugh, cry, clench their fists in anger, and maybe even throw the book across the room. 

In my novel, I paint a very accurate picture of 1910s Pittsburgh and include vivid descriptions of the steel mills, coal mines, and immigrant neighborhoods. It’s all very interesting, but what makes my book even more fascinating is my main character’s unraveling sanity. It affects her entire family and drives the plot forward. It’s the element that keeps readers turning the pages. 

No matter what type of drama you choose to add—a love triangle, a murder, or kidnapping—you can create an authentic portrayal of the immigrant experience and still keep your story spicy.

A native of Western Pennsylvania, Tammy Pasterick grew up in a family of steelworkers, coal miners, and Eastern European immigrants. She began her career as an investigator with the National Labor Relations Board and later worked as a paralegal and German teacher. She holds degrees in labor and industrial relations from Penn State University and German language and literature from the University of Delaware. She currently lives on Maryland’s Eastern Shore with her husband, two children, and chocolate Labrador retriever. Beneath the Veil of Smoke and Ash is her first novel.

You can follow Tammy on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .

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17 Essays About Immigration You Write Quickly

Discover 17 essays about immigration that you can use to help your writing project stand out.

America is a nation of immigrants. From its beginning, the majority of the people that made up America came from countries in Europe, rather than from within America. So, there are many topics you can consider as you look to write essays about immigration.

If you are assigned to write an essay about immigration, you have many options. You can discuss the Immigration Act, the immigration process, the challenges immigrants face, and the ethics of the immigration debate. To get you started, here are

For help with your essays, check out our round-up of the best essay checkers .

1. Should Immigrants Assimilate to American Culture?

2. what the american dream looks like in reality, 3. should learning english be a requirement for immigration, 4. assimilation versus multiculturalism: which is better, 5. what my immigration experience was like, 6. how immigrants can retain the culture of their home countries while embracing america, 7. the problem of illegal immigration and how to fix it, 8. why don’t illegal immigrants come here legally, 9. is it hard to follow immigration law, 10. how immigrants have helped america, 11. does america have an immigration problem, 12. why many american immigrants seek economic opportunity, 13. the deportation of parents of naturalized citizen children, 14. what rights should non-citizens have, 15. immigrant contributions throughout history, 16. the impact of immigrants on america’s economy, 17. explore immigration trends from history.

Assimilation occurs when people come to a new country as an immigrant and embrace the new culture, beliefs, language, and values, often to the extent of losing their own ethnic identities. Is this something that immigrants should do to become Americans? Some argue yes, but others argue no. You can build an essay around your opinion on this topic.

As you discuss assimilation, decide whether or not you can have assimilation without losing culture. Can someone adopt the culture and behaviors of their new country without losing their own cultural identity, or are the two mutually exclusive? Answer these questions in your essay.

The American Dream, the idea that you can do and be anything within the borders of America, draws many immigrants to the country. But what is the reality of the American Dream? You can expound on this idea in your essay.

Sadly many new immigrants come to the country with grand ideas about what their life will look like, only ot find that achieving their dreams takes more hard work than anticipated. Yet is it possible if they put in the effort? Use your essay to answer this question with proof from your research.

Learning a new language is challenging. But if immigrants want to find success within America, they can benefit from learning conversational English. Should this be a requirement for immigration? In reality, most immigrants want to learn English , but it is hard and can cause significant delays in the citizenship process.

In your essay, answer this question and show why you chose that answer. Is this too stringent of a requirement, or does it make sense to make the immigrant’s path easier as they move forward with citizenship? This question is complex, and complex answers make interesting essays.

To help with this topic, read our guide explaining what is persuasive writing ?

Assimilation is different from a multicultural view of America. With assimilation, the immigrant often loses their cultural background. If we view America as a multicultural country, we can embrace and value all of the cultures within our vast melting pot.

Which of these two views is the most realistic? Can we have a multicultural community while still being distinctively American? Decide which view you prefer, and then argue for its benefits in your essay.

Are you an immigrant or the child of immigrant parents? You can transform your life experiences into a personal essay about immigration. How did living as an immigrant shape who you are as a person, and what was your experience about getting legal immigrant or citizenship status like?

This type of essay provides a personal look at the realities of immigration. It can make it easier to explain why immigrants face challenges and what can be done to overcome those challenges.

One of the criticisms against assimilation is the danger of losing one’s home culture when assimilating into a new one. Asian immigrants want to retain their cooking and religious views, while Latinos may want to retain their art and holidays. Your essay can discuss how immigrant families can strike the right balance between assimilation and retention of their home culture.

This question is difficult to answer, so take some time to research it, so you understand the full extent of the problem. Be willing to insert some of your opinions into the discussion to make it valid and personal.

Of the approximately 44.8 million foreign-born people living in America, approximately 1/4 are here illegally . The problem may not be as large as some politicians make it out to be, but it is, in fact, a problem.

Your essay can discuss why we have an illegal immigration problem, how severe it is, and what potential solutions are. Is the solution to deport those living here illegally, or create an easier past to legal immigration status? Back your ideas with facts from your research to build a solid essay.

People have to come to the United States for the purpose of employment, humanitarian relief, or family reunification , and getting proof for each of these can be a huge challenge. Simply coming to seek a “better life” is not sufficient.

Many unfamiliar with immigration policies ask why immigrants don’t do things the “right” way. Your essay can explain why by outlining the challenges to becoming an immigrant. This essay could help build some compassion for the plight of people who want to come to America correctly, but simply can’t.

Why are there so many illegal immigrants in the country? One potential reason is that it is difficult to become a legal immigrant. Do some research on the process of immigration to see how hard it is, then answer this question in your essay.

If immigration law is difficult to follow, consider proposing immigration policy changes to help the problem. People coming to America to seek a better life, only to find the path blocked by many roadblocks, could become legal immigrants with just a few changes.

Immigrants are often criticized, but are there ways they have helped America, too? The answer is yes, and you can prove some of those helps in your essay. American immigration has helped strengthen the U.S. economy. many immigrants have brought scientific and political innovation to the country.

Focus on some of these benefits as you build an essay that supports the positive side of immigration.

Donald Trump was famous for saying he would fight the “immigration problem” in his presidency, but do we have a problem with the immigrant population in our country? Do immigrant groups hurt America, or help it?

Answering these questions can be an effective persuasive essay. You can have an opinion about whether or not we have a problem, and then prove your choice through your writing. If you decide that we have a problem, you can determine solutions and talk about those as well.

What draws people to America. For many, it is the promise of economic opportunity. In many countries, especially those with socialistic tendencies, entrepreneurship is not something the government encourages. In America, immigrants can pursue their passions and make something for themselves.

You can craft an essay that looks at the reality behind the economic opportunities for immigrants in America. While the potential is there, it can be challenging to reach it. This challenge is part of what makes this an excellent immigration essay topic because you can contrast the expectation of many immigrants against the reality they find when they get here.

One problem that hounds the world of immigration is the problem of minors who are born to immigrants within the United States. These children can have American citizenship because they were born in our land. Yet if their parents are illegal immigrants, they can face deportation.

This problem creates an ethical dilemma, and ethical dilemmas are great essay topics. Children need their parents, but undocumented immigrants always face the risk of deportation. With 4.4 million US-citizen children living with at least one undocumented parent, this problem is massive.

One of the criticisms against massive immigration is that some immigrants receive government help, even if they are not citizens. Is this simply an unfair argument? This problem sparks an interesting essay topic. As non-citizens, should immigrants have the same rights as citizens?

You can argue that basic human rights, like the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, are given to all people, regardless of immigration and citizenship status. However, some of the rights of a government-provided to its citizens are not. Decide your stance on this controversy, and then defend it in your essay. You can also discuss the reality behind this complaint .

When you look at America’s history, you can see that immigrants have had a significant role to play . For instance, Albert Einstein, the famous inventor, was a German immigrant. Sergey Brin, the founder of Google, is a Russian immigrant.

In this essay, you can look at immigration to the United States as a way our history has been built. You can then discuss specific people who made contributions to our history but were immigrants. In this way, you can show that immigration has some benefits for Americans.

One of the reasons many people fight having many immigrants in America is because of the supposed economic implications of undocumented immigrants and people working illegally without a green card. Yet what is the economic impact of immigrants on our country? This question is worth considering as the subject of your essay.

For instance, people sometimes criticize migrant workers for taking jobs away from American citizens . Still, in reality, they often take the work that citizens aren’t willing to do, such as hard labor on farms. Others criticize the economic impact of immigrants taking Welfare or participating in government programs, but those same immigrants also spend money at local businesses . You can look at this question from all sides to determine if immigrants are hurting or helping the American economy.

There are many instances in American history when immigration happened in huge numbers. During World War II and its aftermath, the Diaspora that occurred sent many Jews and Russians out of Europe and to America. After the Vietnam War, we saw an influx of Vietnamese immigrants.

For your essay, pick a historical time such as these and discuss how it impacted immigration. What political factors were in place that forced people from their homes, and what caused them to turn toward America as a result?

If you are interested in learning more, check out our essay writing tips !

Bryan Collins is the owner of Become a Writer Today. He's an author from Ireland who helps writers build authority and earn a living from their creative work. He's also a former Forbes columnist and his work has appeared in publications like Lifehacker and Fast Company.

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Expository Writing 20: Narratives of Immigration

Semester: , offered: .

Immigration has become a divisive topic in the U.S., as thousands of people fleeing violence and poverty in Central America arrive at the southern border each year. While conversations about immigration tend to focus on its economic, cultural, and political implications, the lived experiences of immigrants can get lost in the shuffle. Who are the people coming to the U.S. border? What has motivated their journeys? Once they arrive, what happens to them? Which of their experiences make it into the national conversation around immigration, and which are ignored? In this course, students will try to answer these questions, combining both standard academic inquiry with exploratory community engagement. Course participants will have the opportunity to meet with and pose questions to lawyers from the Harvard Law School Immigration Clinic, as well as representatives from the Dilley Pro Bono Project, who provide legal services to asylum seekers at the U.S. family detention center in Dilley, Texas. They will also exit the gates of Harvard to attend immigration court proceedings, visit local immigrant neighborhoods, and talk with activists about their hopes and frustrations regarding immigration reform. These experiences will then inform students’ academic writing, which will culminate in a research paper that seeks to bring national attention to some of the overlooked realities of the immigration system course participants have encountered.

In Unit 1, we will start by looking at concepts of nationhood and community, asking students to critique arguments for and against open borders, focusing on the libertarian, utilitarian argument made in favor of them by economist Bryan Caplan. In Unit 2, we will turn to the self-articulated experiences of immigrants to the United States, putting narratives of asylum seekers in conversation with former Attorney General Jeff Sessions’s definition of persecution in The Matter of A-B- . Finally, in Unit 3 students will write a research paper in which they synthesize their learning throughout the semester, contributing directly to the national conversation surrounding immigration, with the goal of submitting their work for potential publication. They will write this paper in conjunction with creating a capstone project: a two-minute, self-reflective video produced for the class’s community partners.

For more information on students' final projects, please see the Bok Center's page on the course .

Immigration Essay: How To Write The Perfect One?

Immigration is a hot-button issue in many countries. With debates over immigration policies heating up, it’s becoming increasingly important to know how to write an effective immigration essay. Crafting the perfect paper can be a daunting task, but with the right guidance and resources, anyone can create an informative and persuasive paper. In this article, we will provide tips on how to write the perfect immigration essay.

By following the simple tips below, you’ll be able to get a good immigration essay that makes a lasting impression on readers! Read on for more information about how to write the perfect immigration essay.

Immigration Essay Examples

Immigration essays can be difficult to write. They require extensive research, careful analysis, and thoughtful reflection on the topic. The introduction is the first part of an immigration essay and it should be crafted to capture the reader’s attention. It should introduce your story and the argumentative essay outline you will use throughout your paper.

How To Write an Introduction?

When crafting an immigration informative essay , the introduction is a crucial component. It should provide readers with an overview of the issue and introduce the main argument that will be discussed in the essay. To start, begin by providing some background information on immigration and its impact on society. This will help to set up the context for your essay and ensure your reader understands why this topic is important.

When crafting an immigration essay introduction, you can start with a personal story that illustrates how meaningful this issue is for you. Explain why you are passionate about immigration reform, or how it has impacted your life. Be sure to keep it concise and relevant while avoiding too much detail as this could potentially bore readers.

What to Write About in the Body?

Once you have provided a general overview of immigration, it’s time to address the main focus of your piece. Ask yourself what you want to say about immigration and create a thesis statement that outlines your argument. 

This is where you will present your research and arguments in support of your thesis statement. To do this effectively, it’s important to create an argumentative essay outline that outlines exactly what points you want to make throughout the paper. Make sure each point has evidence to back it up so that readers will understand why you are making these claims and be more likely to agree with them.

Make sure to include facts or research if needed so readers can trust your opinion. Additionally, avoid using biased language as this might lead to misunderstanding or misinterpretation from readers.

How To Write a Conclusion?

The conclusion of an immigration essay is the most important part. It should summarize the main points of the essay, restate the thesis, and leave the reader with a sense of closure. To write an effective conclusion:

• start by revisiting your main points and reiterating why they are important;
• provide a brief overview of how the immigration issue has been addressed throughout the essay;
• draw your conclusion by making a statement about immigration policy or offering a suggestion for further action on this issue.

When writing your conclusion, be sure to avoid simply repeating what you have already said in the body of your essay. Instead, use this section as a chance to bring together all of your ideas into one concise statement that drives home your point. Additionally, it is important to ensure that your conclusion remains focused on the topic at hand and does not wander off into unrelated topics or tangents. If done correctly, writing an effective conclusion can be one of the most rewarding parts of constructing an immigration essay.

5 Paragraph Essay About Immigration

• The first paragraph of your immigration essay should provide an overview of the topic. Introduce your main points and explain why this issue is important. 
• In the second paragraph be sure to include any relevant facts or statistics that will help your argument come across as well-informed and persuasive. Don’t forget to cite any sources you use!
• Your third paragraph should be much wider and focus on the body of your essay. This is where you dive into the details of your argument and provide evidence for why your perspective is valid. 
• After that discuss the pros and cons of different immigration policies, or analyze the economic or social impact of immigration in your country—the possibilities are endless! Again, make sure to include sources wherever possible.
• Finally, end your 5 paragraph immigration essay with a conclusion that ties together all of the main points from your body paragraphs into one cohesive statement summarizing what was discussed in the paper. Include any final thoughts or insights you may have had while writing this paper as well as any potential solutions or further action steps related to immigration reform.

Immigration Argumentative Essay

Having covered the basics of writing a paragraph essay about immigration, it’s now time to explore how to construct an immigration argumentative essay. An immigration argumentative essay is a powerful tool for convincing readers of one’s opinion on the complexities and nuances of immigration in the United States. As such, this type of essay requires careful research and thoughtful analysis to be effective.

• First, identify an appropriate topic related to immigration into the United States. This could include current laws, benefits or consequences of immigration, public opinions on immigration, etc. Research should then be conducted around this topic in order to gain an in-depth understanding of both sides of the argument. Once a solid foundation has been established, it is important to consider all perspectives when constructing an argument for or against immigration.
• The structure of an immigration argumentative essay should first introduce the issue and provide background information before delving into supporting arguments. For example, if pro-immigration policies are being argued for then evidence from relevant sources such as statistics and experts’ opinions can be used to support one’s claims. On the other hand, if anti-immigration policies are being argued against then economic data or personal stories can be included to emphasize their impact on individuals and society overall.
• Finally, once all arguments have been presented a conclusion should be drawn that summarizes key points without repeating them verbatim. A conclusion should also include implications for further action or exploration that readers may find interesting or informative. With these tips in mind, any reader can confidently craft an effective and persuasive immigration argumentative essay that will engage readers and leave them wanting more!

Immigration Essay Topics

Immigration essays can be difficult to write, but with the right guidance and research, anyone can compose a comprehensive essay about immigration. When researching for an essay about immigration, there are a few essay topics that can be explored. 

An essay about immigration in the United States could focus on issues such as:

• illegal immigration, 
• family reunification through visas, 
• immigrants’ rights. 

An illegal immigration persuasive essay could discuss:

• the economic effects of illegal immigrants,
• how immigrants may impact local businesses or social services. 

An essay about immigration to America could include topics such as:

• the history of American Immigration,
• the current state of US-Mexico border relations and policies. 

These topics are essential when writing an essay on immigration because they provide a comprehensive look at all aspects of the issue.

When beginning to write an essay on any of these topics, it is important to do thorough research and understand both sides of the argument before taking a stance. It is also important to use reliable sources when building evidence for arguments and to acknowledge different points of view while presenting one’s own opinion. 

Additionally, writers should make sure their language is clear and concise to ensure readers can easily understand their arguments. Overall, by following these tips and doing detailed research, anyone can write a compelling essay about immigration that accurately addresses current issues in society.

In conclusion, writing an immigration essay can be a daunting task. However, by following the steps outlined above, it doesn’t have to be. Start with a strong introduction that introduces your topic and sets the tone for your argument. Then develop a well-structured 5 paragraph essay using evidence and facts to support your argument. Make sure to include an opposing view and counter it with evidence. Finally, end with a powerful conclusion that ties back to your introduction. With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to craft the perfect immigration essay!

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The Ultimate Guide to Writing an Immigration Essay

Are you looking for the ultimate guide on how to write an immigration essay? Whether you’re applying for a visa, citizenship, or another immigration-related program, you need to be able to craft a persuasive and convincing essay.

Writing an immigration essay can be daunting, especially if you’re not sure where to start. But don’t worry! This blog post will provide you with the information and advice you need to write a stellar immigration essay. We’ll discuss the format, topics, and sources of evidence to include, as well as tips on how to make your essay stand out.

Let’s get started!

Brainstorm the topic for your immigration essay

When it comes to writing an immigration essay, the most important thing is to start with a topic that speaks to you and that you can research easily. Brainstorming is key to finding a great immigration essay topic. Take some time to brainstorm ideas, write down keywords, and think of stories that might inspire your essay.

Start by considering why immigration is important to you, what immigration means to you, or how immigration has affected your life or someone else’s. Once you have some ideas, think about narrowing your focus to a specific group or type of immigration (e.g. illegal immigration, asylum seekers, refugees). Then, look for possible sources of information such as articles, books, and interviews that can help you better understand the topic. The more research you do, the more compelling and detailed your essay will be.

Finally, take the time to consider different perspectives and sides of the argument and then choose one to defend in your essay. Research both sides of the debate before making up your mind on which position you want to take. Make sure you back up all of your points with evidence from credible sources; this will make your essay stronger and more convincing.

Research the immigration essay topic

Before you start writing your immigration essay, it is important to do your research. You need to understand the history and current state of immigration in the United States and around the world. You should also familiarize yourself with the laws, regulations, and policies related to immigration. Researching the topic will help you understand the different perspectives on immigration and help you form your own opinion.

Make sure to use reliable sources for your research. A good place to start is government websites, such as the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, as well as academic journals and articles.

You may also want to look into organizations and advocacy groups for more information about immigration issues. With a comprehensive understanding of the issue, you’ll be able to write an informed and compelling essay.

Choose a side to support in your immigration essay

When it comes to writing your essay, it’s important to keep your main argument in mind. Make sure that all of your points lead back to your main argument and support it. It’s also important to remember to stay objective and unbiased. While it’s okay to include personal experiences or stories, try not to make sweeping statements or grand claims without providing evidence.

Make sure you use facts and data from reliable sources to back up your points. This will make your essay more credible and compelling. Additionally, remember that the purpose of the essay is to convince the reader of your point of view; use persuasive techniques such as logic and rhetoric to make a convincing argument. Immigration essays are often focused on particular countries or regions.

If you are focusing your essay on a particular region or country, make sure to include information about its economic conditions, culture, politics, demographics, and any other factors that could affect immigration patterns. Additionally, explain how these factors contribute to migration flows in terms of push and pull factors. For example, explain how political unrest, economic crises, environmental changes, or cultural differences are driving people to move away from their home countries. If relevant, include statistics on the number of people who have left the region due to these factors.

In addition to researching the external factors affecting migration flows, it’s important to explain the motivations behind people migrating. Different people will have different reasons for migrating and it’s important to explore these motivations in order to gain a full understanding of why people move. Common motives behind migration include safety concerns, economic opportunity, educational prospects, family reunification, and religious freedom.

Write your thesis statement

An immigration essay should begin with a thesis statement, which serves as a brief introduction to the paper and its contents.

A thesis statement typically includes the main point and purpose of the essay and should be able to stand alone as a concise summary of the paper’s main ideas.

When writing a thesis statement for an immigration essay, it is important to clearly state your position on the issue and to focus your argument in a way that will be beneficial to the reader. Additionally, it is important for the thesis statement to be concise and clear so as not to distract from the body of the paper. Once you have written a strong thesis statement, you can move on to the next step in writing your immigration essay.

The next step is to outline the structure and content of your essay. This can include any details or points that you want to make throughout the paper, including evidence or facts that back up each statement or claim. Make sure to consider any potential counterarguments or opposing points of view, and factor these into your essay structure.

This will ensure that all sides are considered throughout your paper. Additionally, having a well-defined structure helps keep your writing organized and allows readers to follow your line of reasoning.

Support the immigration essay thesis with strong body paragraphs

When writing the body of your immigration essay, it is important to use clear and concise language that is easy for readers to follow. Make sure to include evidence that supports the argument or points you are making. This can include statistics, examples, quotes, and personal anecdotes.

Additionally, be sure to thoroughly explain the evidence or facts that you provide so that readers understand why they are important. Remember, the goal of the essay is not just to provide information but also to persuade readers that your argument is valid and should be taken seriously.

Transition words for body paragraphs are essential to help ensure the flow of your essay is natural and consistent. These transition words help readers go smoothly from one idea to another, creating a smooth connection between ideas. Examples of transition words can include: moreover, however, furthermore, additionally, despite this, therefore, etc. Additionally, pay attention to grammar and syntax when writing your immigration essay.

While many people think that grammar doesn’t matter much in academic papers, this simply isn’t true; a poorly written essay can turn off potential readers or weaken the strength of your arguments.

Write your conclusion

Writing a conclusion for your immigration essay is your last opportunity to make an impact and draw your readers in. It’s important to write a powerful conclusion that resonates with the reader. The conclusion should provide a sense of closure by summarizing the main points of your essay. Begin your conclusion by restating your thesis statement. Then, review the main arguments you discussed throughout your essay and summarize them. Be sure to avoid introducing any new information or making any unsubstantiated claims.

Finally, end your essay on a positive note with a thought-provoking statement or a call to action that encourages readers to consider their own views on immigration. With these tips, you can craft an engaging conclusion that will leave your readers with a lasting impression. The success of your immigration essay depends on several factors such as structure, organization, topic selection, evidence gathering, and persuasive writing. When starting an immigration essay, it’s important to create an outline so that you know what topics to cover within each section of your paper.

An effective outline should include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. In the introduction, begin by providing some context about the issue you are discussing and then introduce your thesis statement. In the body paragraphs, discuss relevant facts about the issue, use evidence to back up your argument, and analyze the facts using data from reliable sources. And finally, in the conclusion, briefly recap the main points of your argument and emphasize why this issue matters. By following this format and including relevant evidence from reliable sources, you can create an effective argumentative essay on immigration.

Edit the immigration essay

Once you’ve written your immigration essay, it’s time to go through the editing process. This is one of the most important steps when writing an essay. During this step, you will check for spelling and grammar errors, as well as clarity and consistency. You should also look for any factual or statistical inaccuracies. When editing your essay, it is important to take your time.

Read through the entire essay slowly and carefully. Check for any errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Make sure the essay is consistent throughout and that there are no gaps in logic or structure.

Another important aspect of the editing process is to make sure your essay flows logically. If you have included quotes or statistics, make sure they are correctly attributed to their original sources. Furthermore, consider if any of the paragraphs could be improved or reworded to make them clearer and more effective. Finally, make sure your essay is free of any bias or personal opinion. An immigration essay should be written objectively and factually, so it is important to remain unbiased when presenting your arguments.

By taking your time to edit your essay, you can ensure that it is well-written, factually accurate, and logical in its argumentation. This will help you create an immigration essay that will make a lasting impression on your reader. Additionally, once you’re done editing your essay, get another set of eyes to proofread it for accuracy. Have someone else read over the essay and ask them to point out any potential issues. Additionally, if possible, get someone who is knowledgeable about immigration laws to review the essay. Having another perspective may help you identify any mistakes you may have missed during the editing process.

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32+ argumentative essays topics on immigration with prompts [+ essay outline], dr. wilson mn.

• August 1, 2022
• Essay Topics and Ideas , Samples

There are a lot of immigration issues that people are passionate about. If you care about the immigration and want to make a difference, then you should consider writing an argumentative essay on one of these topics. Here are some ideas on Argumentative Essays Topics on Immigration to get you started:

What You'll Learn

Interesting Topics On Migration

• Different Perspectives on Immigration Reform Essay Prompt: Over the past few years, people have moved to the United States for various reasons. Some have moved to the United States to reunite with their families, work, or look for safety.
• Arguments on Why Immigration Should be Stopped Essay Prompt: Immigration can be defined as the movement of an individual from one’s country of origin to set up new and permanent residence in another country. Immigration has been a pertinent issue in most countries, especially the United States.
• Effects of Immigration Essay Prompt: Immigration is moving from one place to another in order to live and work in that place. The history of immigration dates back to thousands of years ago when the first Africans arrived in Egypt.
• How does racism impact the way we view Immigration? Essay Prompt: In recent years, views of immigration in the United States have shifted with many Americans perceiving immigrants as a source of national prosperity, rather than an eminent burden. (Interesting Topics on Migration)
• Immigration, Essay Prompt: Consider any issues such as how to deal with illegal immigrants, how to encourage new, productive immigrants, cost of illegal immigrants.

As you continue,  thestudycorp.com  has the top and most qualified writers to help with any of your assignments. All you need to do is  place an order  with us . Select a Argumentative Essays Topics on Immigration and we will write the essau for you.

Argumentative Essay Ideas On Immigration with Prompts

• What Role Should The State Of Texas Play In The Immigration Policy
• No One Is Safe.’ How Trump’s Immigration Policy Is Splitting Families Apart Essay Prompt: In the past, people who immigrated to the US illegally and had criminal records were some of the most targeted, but now the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can pick up family members and separate them from their families.
• The economic impact of Immigration on the US economy Essay Prompt: Immigration has a significant impact on the United States economy. Immigration has enhanced economic development and has small to no effects on employment and wages for native-born workers.
• Describe Immigration Laws And Potential Illegal Immigrants
• Essay Prompt: You explore your position on the topic of immigration laws. Select an immigration law for this Discussion and consider whether or not that law is justifiable.
• The bad impact of Immigration on the U.S. economy. Essay Essay Prompt: Immigration is a hotly debated topic in the United States, especially in political circles. Over the years, millions of people have immigrated to the United States from all parts of the world and it has become a melting pot of cultures. (Interesting Topics on Migration)
• Impact of Immigration on American Cities Essay Prompt: The issue of immigration is a sensitive national topic in the United States. The topic’s sensitivity is fueled by several misconceptions about immigration and its impact on the United States. (Argumentative Essay Ideas On Immigration)
• Research Assignment on Enforcement of Immigration Laws Essay Prompt: Explain at least one challenge related to enforcing the laws at the state level. Provide an insight you had about the effectiveness of enforcement of laws. A Research Project On Migration.

Further read on Creative Synthesis Essay Topics & Ideas in 2022

If you care about immigration and want to make a difference, then you should consider writing an argumentative essay on one of these topics . Here are some ideas on Argumentative Essays Topics on Immigration to get you started:

Immigration Research Paper Topics

• Immigration is Good to America: Immigration Makes Americans Less Isolated Globally Essay Prompt: Incorporate analysis of the reading and somebody’s personal experience to make a clear and precise argumentative essay on immigration.
• Republican Party Restrictions on Immigration Law Essay Essay Prompt: The US president Donald Trump is from the Republican Party with the decision made following the policies of the party. Republican Party has a strong stand on restrictions on immigrants which have caused unrest to blacks and minority groups in the US.
• Discuss one specific issue position from either the Democratic or Republican parties’ platforms, indicating whether you agree or disagree.
• Why The United States Should Adopt An Open Immigration Policy Essay Prompt: Two Viewpoints explaining why Immigration Must Be Restricted to Protect American Americans Against Terrorists and why the United States Should Adopt an Open Immigration Policy.
• Liberal Critique And Reform Of Immigration Policy Essay Prompt: Immigration reforms have remained fundamental similar to civil rights and desegregation throughout the history of the united states (US). In the past centuries, immigration reforms have been greatly influenced by the civil rights movement. As noted, the civil rights movement was about winning full and…
• Immigration, Pluralism, and Amalgamation Essay Prompt: The world has significantly transformed into a global village mainly due to technological advancement that has made almost every part of the world accessible. Consequently, migration has become a common aspect of modern life. These changes have prompted different countries to establish immigration policies…
• Essay Prompt: In the current interconnected world, global migration has turned out to be a reality that affects approximately all countries across the world. With advanced modern means of transport, people find it easier, cheaper and more convenient to move from one nation to another searching for employment.
• How to Strengthen America’s National Security
• Essay Prompt: Enhancing border control and enforcement of immigration laws are the two primary ideas that can effectively manage the problem of illegal immigration in the US. (Interesting Topics on Migration)
• Immigration Policy Impact on Economic, Security & Humanitarian Policy Essay Prompt: The current immigration policy has a far-reaching impact on humanitarian, security, and economic aspects. For instance, Migrant Protection Protocols by former President Trump prevents the imprisonment of asylum seekers, especially women and children, until the hearing of their case.
• Should American Citizenship be a Birthright? Research Paper Essay Prompt: The belief that everybody born in American soil becomes subject to the jurisdiction, hence citizens of the United States was included in the Constitution in 1868, in the 14th amendment.

These are just a few examples of Argumentative Essays Topics on Immigration. If you can find a topic that is relevant to your audience and that you are passionate about, you will be well on your way to writing a great argumentative essay .

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Home — Essay Samples — Social Issues — Immigration to America — How Immigration Changed America

How Immigration Changed America

• Categories: Immigration to America

About this sample

Words: 605 |

Published: Sep 12, 2023

Words: 605 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Table of contents

The early waves of immigration, the melting pot and cultural fusion, economic growth and innovation, demographic changes and diversity, social and political changes.

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The Pros and Cons of Immigration in America

This essay about the pros and cons of immigration in America presents a balanced view of its complex impact on society. It highlights the cultural richness and economic vitality that immigrants bring, emphasizing their role in filling job vacancies and fostering entrepreneurial growth. On the flip side, the essay addresses the challenges posed by immigration, such as potential job competition, strain on public services, and social integration issues. It also discusses the political divisiveness surrounding immigration policies. Ultimately, the essay portrays immigration as a multifaceted issue that enriches American society, despite the associated challenges, and calls for thoughtful policy-making to harness its benefits while mitigating its downsides.

How it works

Immigration is a topic that stirs up a lot of emotions and opinions in America. It’s woven into the very fabric of the nation’s identity, yet it remains one of the most contentious issues on the political and social landscape. Delving into the pros and cons of immigration in America reveals a complex picture, where the benefits and challenges are deeply intertwined.

One of the most celebrated advantages of immigration is the diversity it brings. Immigrants enrich American culture by introducing their unique traditions, languages, and cuisines, which have become integral to the nation’s identity.

This cultural infusion not only makes life in the U.S. more vibrant but also promotes a global outlook among Americans. Furthermore, immigrants often bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas, which are crucial in fields like technology, science, and the arts. The dynamism in Silicon Valley, for instance, owes much to the talents of immigrants from around the world.

Economically, immigrants contribute significantly to America’s growth. They fill essential roles in various sectors, from high-tech industries to agriculture, where there is often a shortage of willing and able American workers. Additionally, immigrants are known to be entrepreneurial, starting new businesses at a higher rate than native-born Americans. These businesses create jobs, increase economic activity, and can revitalize communities that may be declining due to population loss or economic downturns.

However, immigration also presents considerable challenges. One of the primary concerns is the impact on job opportunities and wages for native-born workers. Some argue that the influx of immigrant workers can drive down wages, especially in lower-wage sectors, and make it harder for native workers to find jobs. While research often shows that immigrants do not significantly affect the overall employment levels of native-born workers, the perception of competition can create tensions and fuel economic anxieties.

Infrastructure and public services can also feel the strain of increased immigration. Schools, healthcare systems, and public services must often accommodate an increase in users without a corresponding increase in resources. This can lead to overcrowded schools and longer wait times in hospitals, which can degrade the quality of services provided to all residents, regardless of their immigration status.

Social integration poses another challenge. While many immigrants integrate seamlessly into American society, others may struggle without adequate support for assimilation. Differences in language, customs, and values can lead to social isolation and create enclaves that may hinder full integration into the broader community. This can exacerbate social divisions and lead to misunderstandings and prejudice.

Politically, immigration is a polarizing issue. It shapes election campaigns, influences voting patterns, and often sets the tone for political discourse. The debate over immigration policy can create divisions not only between political parties but also within them, complicating efforts to reform the immigration system in a way that reflects the nuances of the issue.

Despite these challenges, the overall narrative of immigration in America is one of hope and contribution. Immigrants arrive mostly in search of a better life and opportunities, driven by the same dreams that have motivated generations of Americans. Their resilience and hard work continue to enrich American society in countless ways.

The discussion around the pros and cons of immigration in America does not lend itself to simple conclusions or easy solutions. It requires a balanced understanding and thoughtful consideration of both the benefits and challenges. Only through such a comprehensive approach can policies be crafted that capitalize on the strengths of America’s immigrant heritage while effectively addressing the real concerns that arise.

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The Pros And Cons Of Immigration In America. (2024, May 01). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/the-pros-and-cons-of-immigration-in-america/

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18 Essays About The Immigrant Experience You Need To Read

These stories illuminate what it takes, and what it means, to uproot your life in one country and begin it again in a new one.

BuzzFeed Staff

Growing Up American In Gaza Taught Me What We Owe To Refugees — Rebecca Peterson Zeccola

"In Palestine, we could so easily have been treated as the enemy, but we were welcomed like family."

I’m Not OK With Being One Of The Lucky Muslims — Romaissaa Benzizoune

"This weekend’s immigration order doesn’t apply to me or my family; I’ll be fine. But so many others I know and love will not."

I Grew Up In The Rust Belt, But I'm Not In Any Of The Stories About It — Alia Hanna Habib

"It’s strange to see the media turn its attention to places like my hometown in coal-country Pennsylvania and find that my experience there, as part of the non -white working class, is still invisible."

Here’s What I’m Telling My Brown Son About Trump’s America — Mira Jacob

"Sometimes I wish I could ask America when, exactly, it made its mind up about us. The myth, of course, is that it hasn’t, that there is still a chance to mollify those who dictate the terms of our experience here, and then be allowed to chase success unfettered by their paranoia. To live, as it’s more commonly known, the American dream."

There’s No Recipe For Growing Up — Scaachi Koul

"My mom’s Kashmiri cooking has always tethered me to home. So it’s no wonder she won’t give me (all) the secrets to doing it myself."

How I Learned That Beauty Doesn’t Have To Hurt — Sonya Chung

"Growing up in a Korean American family, I absorbed the idea that any feeling of pleasure comes at a cost. But as I get older, I’m realizing it doesn’t have to work that way."

Why Brexit Has Broken My Heart — Bim Adewunmi

"As a child of immigrants, I am deeply ashamed that this is who we are."

I Found A Home In Clubs Like Pulse, In Cities Like Orlando — Rigoberto González

"I cherish the time I have spent in clubs like Pulse in cities like Orlando, where gay Latinos — the immigrants, the undocumented, and the first-generation Americans alike — gravitate because we love men and we love our homelands, and that’s one of the places our worlds converge."

Making Great Pho Is Hard, But Making A Life From Scratch Is Harder — Nicole Nguyen

"After fleeing Vietnam, my parents turned to food to teach us about what it means to be Vietnamese."

When Home Is Between Different Countries And Genders — Meredith Talusan

"I moved to the U.S. from the Philippines when I was 15, where I had been raised as a boy. About a decade later, I started to live as a woman and eventually transitioned. I think of migration and transition as two examples of the same process – moving from one home, one reality, to another."

I Found The House My Grandparents Abandoned in 1947 — Ahmed Ali Akbar

"So many Americans go to India to find themselves. But I went to find the history my family lost in the subcontinent’s Partition."

How I Became A Southern-Fried Nigerian — Israel Daramola

"I once felt torn between Nigeria and Florida, between jollof rice and fried alligator, but there is no real me without both."

Learning To Mourn In My Father's Country — Reggie Ugwu

"After my brother died and my father was partially paralyzed, my family traveled 7,000 miles in search of an old home, a new house, and the things we’d lost on the road in between."

How To Get Your Green Card In America — Sarah Mathews

"When you perform the act of audacity that is consolidating an entire life into a couple of suitcases and striking out to make your way, what is not American about that? When you leave the old country so that your daughters can have a good education and walk down their streets without fear, what is not American about that? When you flee violence and poverty to come to a land of plenty, when you are willing to learn new languages, to haul ass, to do twice as much work, what is not American about that?"

A Childhood Spent Inside A Chinese Restaurant — Susan Cheng

"Being one of the few Asians in my school was hard enough. Working at my parents’ Chinese restaurant didn’t make it any easier."

How I Learned To Celebrate Eid Al Adha In America — Zainab Shah

"I bent over backward to explain myself. 'From Pakistan,' I would say. 'Not a terrorist,' I almost added. But I didn’t — the joke would only be funny if racial profiling didn’t exist."

Texts From My Parents: What It Was Like To Leave Vietnam — Nicole Nguyen

"They did it for us, and I'll spend the rest of my life trying to make the most of it."

What It’s Like Speaking A Different Language From Your Parents — Zakia Uddin

"My parents and I communicate in an incomplete mash-up of Bengali and English. I sometimes wonder what we are missing."

Topics in this article

• Immigration

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IELTS band 9 essay: immigration

Here you can find advice how to structure IELTS essay and IELTS model answer for immigration topic. Question type: reasons and consequences .

Here is the question card:

Immigration has a major impact on the society.

What are the main reasons of immigration?

To what consequences can it lead?

To write a band 9 essay you should first of all choose your arguments to answer the questions from the topic. You don't have to find some complicated ideas. Remember: you won't be judged upon the quality of your thoughts, you will be judged upon the quality of your writing. So even simple, but well-written arguments can often give you a band 9 writing .

• Reasons why people immigrate
• Results of immigration

Some of the possible arguments :

• Reasons of immigration :
• People want to live in a safe country
• People search better jobs with higher salaries
• People escape from wars/disasters
• Results of immigration :
• People’s expectations come true / don’t come true
• Immigrants face other difficulties
• Countries of destination have to give money to support refugees
• Overpopulation

How to structure my answer?

Of course, there are a lot of ways to organise this essay. But here is one possible way of structuring the answer to produce a band 9 essay :

Introduction : simply rephrase the topic and say what this essay is about. When your essay question asks you about reasons/consequences or causes/solutions, you shouldn’t try to describe all that in your introduction. Instead, state that you’ll describe them later in your essay.

Body paragraphs :

• paragraph 1: main reasons of immigration
• paragraph 2: main consequences of immigration

Conclusion : sum up the ideas from body paragraphs and briefly give your opinion.

Band 9 essay sample (immigration)

Immigration has a significant impact on the contemporary society. Each year, more and more people from all over the world decide to leave their home countries and move to another place. This essay will examine the reasons and the consequences of immigration.

In my view, the main reason of immigration is a strong desire of better life quality and safe future. A lot of people from so-called Third World move to developed countries in search of better employment opportunities, and therefore, higher incomes. Moreover, living in a wealthy country implies living in a country with stable economy, so risks of losing their savings also lessen. For example, labour migration from Mexico to the USA is caused by these facts. Other reasons that force whole families to cross borders are wars and various cultural conflicts in their homeland. Many people migrate, seeking security and safe future for their children. For instance, most of the refugees who arrived in the European Union were escaping from wars.

However, sometimes immigration causes more problems than it solves, resulting in negative consequences for both immigrants and their countries of destination. First of all, most of the refugees can’t find jobs because of the lack of language skills and difficulties in adaptation. That’s why the countries have to run various refugee assistance programs to help those people. But disproportionate burden of maintaining the immigrants leads to tension in the society. Secondly, not all of the refugees receive proper asylum, food and medical care. So they are at risk even after crossing the border. Finally, even highly qualified specialists, who seek better employment, often don’t get what they are looking for.

In conclusion, I think that people immigrate to have better life prospects. However, life after immigration may not always meet people’s expectations. So it’s very important to consider all the possible outcomes and decide whether leaving your homeland is worth it.

(315 words)

Useful vocabulary

better employment opportunities – opportunity to find a better job

burden of maintaining immigrants – difficulties in helping immigrants faced by the governments

country with stable economy – rich and safe country

to cross the border – immigrate

labour migration – when people migrate to find better jobs

refugee – person who is forced to leave his birth place because of war

refugee assistance programs – when the government gives to the refugees asylum and food

to seek better employment – look for better job

Third World – developing countries

to meet expectations – if something doesn’t meet your expectations, it’s not as good as you have thought

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Table of Contents

Wondering how to start an essay about immigration ? Whether you’re a high schooler exploring immigration policies, or a college student learning more about the subject, this article is for you.

Nowadays, immigration is becoming more widespread around the world. This is due to the development in the economic and technological spheres.

Moreover, the gap between rich and poor becomes more prominent, causing migration to increase further. Therefore, educators now give immigration essays to their students, making the topic of immigration more relevant than ever.

Read on to find out how to write an impactful essay on the reasons, causes, benefits, and drawbacks of immigration.

How to Start an Essay About Immigration?

If you’re wondering how to start an essay about immigration , this post has all the information you need to enhance your writing.

Start the essay off with your thesis. It should state what you plan to argue if you have one. Then, give the reader a background of the issue or topic. Now, consider all of the evidence you have collected and highlight the most important pieces of evidence.

What Is Immigration?

Immigration is the process of relocating to another country. It is usually a relocation from a less economically developed country to a developed one with the hope of ongoing permission to reside.

This is the procedure of obtaining legal permanent residency abroad. People could decide to immigrate for various personal, economic, social, or political reasons.

Reasons and Causes for Migration

Today, migration is a global issue from an economic and business perspective. Many states’ populations are growing due to immigrants who move to new locations in search of a better life. Moving to a new place means getting used to another culture and lifestyle. Several factors influence people’s decisions to relocate. Here are some common reasons and causes for migration:

Personal Reasons and Wishes

Some people relocate to be with their spouses. People also migrate to advance professionally or fulfill a childhood ambition to reside somewhere specific. It could also be a desire to pursue education in a certain setting or nation.

People Immigrate for Safety Reasons

People often migrate due to the threat or danger posed to themselves or their families.

Persecution and discrimination based on religion, race, nationality, political beliefs, or social standing are only a few of the possible issues. Other reasons could be to escape from war or to be safe from one’s criminal activity.

Economic Factors Are Common for Immigration

Economic factors are a common cause of immigration. These economic factors may be seasonal or constant.

People frequently relocate from underdeveloped nations to developed ones in search of employment and financial possibilities. Low salaries, lack of jobs, and high taxes make life difficult for people. People continuously seek a better life.

Human Rights and Freedom

The lack of basic human needs and the desire for a higher quality of life are sociological reasons that are causing migration to increase. People work to improve their own and their families’ prospects.

One social reason for migration is to improve children’s education and career growth by getting a better education. Additionally, people could look abroad for services like life-saving surgery or medical care that may not be available in their home country.

Benefits and Drawbacks of the Immigration Process

The discussion about immigration has been going on for decades, but it seems to continue to be a contentious topic.

No matter what the reason might be, immigration is an important topic with many benefits and drawbacks. Learning more about the pros and cons of immigration will help you write an informed essay in this debate.

Benefits of Immigration:

Positive aspects of the immigration process that you can mention are:

• An improvement in living standards. Most people who move do so in search of safer neighborhoods, social security, and better career possibilities.
• Better personal and professional insights. Immigrants experience a variety of difficulties when they move to a new environment. They must become more independent and adapt to the new standards of living. It forces people to take on professional responsibilities, act independently, and work with new techniques and standards. As a result, they develop as professionals and gain new experiences.
• Encounters diverse cultures and expands knowledge. Immigrants have the chance to discover new cultures, traditions, and lifestyles while also learning more about the host nation’s cuisine and language.

Drawbacks of Immigration:

Negative aspects of the immigration process that you can mention are:

• Intolerance of other races and cultures. Only a few nations are welcoming to visitors; most tourists suffer racial discrimination or hatred instead.
• Encounters language barrier. Communication difficulties are among the primary drawbacks in a host nation. Therefore, it is recommended that you learn some basic terms beforehand for regular communication.
• There is a labor shortage. Unemployment is a significant issue that new immigrants may encounter. This is especially true if they decide to settle in a new location without having their credentials and skills recognized and validated.

The topic of immigration is complicated, but exploring all aspects of the immigration process gives you a better understanding of the concept .

There is often a misconception that immigrants are taking away jobs that the citizens deserve, but this is simply not the case. They are rather helping contribute to society and strengthen the economy. This article covers the most prevalent reasons, benefits, and drawbacks of the immigration process all across the world.

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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We, the voters

Migrants claiming asylum can be allowed into the u.s. here's how it works.

Steve Inskeep

Ally Schweitzer

Yajaíra Peñaloza (left) and Marian Araujo pose with their children while waiting for their ride at the Casa Alitas shelter in Tucson, Ariz., on March 26. Ash Ponders for NPR hide caption

Yajaíra Peñaloza (left) and Marian Araujo pose with their children while waiting for their ride at the Casa Alitas shelter in Tucson, Ariz., on March 26.

The heart of the debate over the U.S.-Mexico border is illegal immigration.

Yet that decades-old issue is complicated by hundreds of thousands of asylum-seekers claiming, under a process allowed by U.S. law, that they fear returning to their home countries.

Near the border this spring, NPR met a recent arrival who insisted that her entry was legal. She was at Casa Alitas, a cavernous shelter in Tucson, Ariz.

Yajaíra Peñaloza told us she arrived in the U.S. from Venezuela on Christmas Day last year.

"It was baby Jesus' gift," she said.

Neither she nor her travel companions had come with a visa, but Peñaloza had secured a court date in 2026 to request asylum. In the meantime, she said, she would try to find a job to support herself financially as soon as she received a federal work permit to do so.

"We are doing everything to be here legally, while we wait," Peñaloza said.

What describes the legal status of people such as Peñaloza?

NPR asked Muzaffar Chishti with the Migration Policy Institute. Our conversation follows.

This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Interview highlights

Steve Inskeep: This is someone that most Americans would think of as an "illegal immigrant" since she came here without a visa. She says, "I'm here legally. I'm following the legal process." So let's begin right there. Does someone in this situation have legal status?

Muzaffar Chishti: The quick answer is no. What she and most people who are arriving at the border are doing is that they are arriving without authorization to enter the United States. She's certainly showing up at a port of entry, which makes it different than between ports of entry. But she has an appointment. At the appointment, she is basically telling a Customs and Border Protection official, "I have fear of returning to my country." So she's being placed in what we call removal proceedings and given a date with a notice to appear at her removal proceeding.

We, The Voters

How a u.s. customs and border protection veteran sees his agency's mission.

During that time, she doesn't have any real status, but she can't be removed because she is showing up for an appointment to contest her removability. At that hearing — when she will be asked, "Do you have a remedy against removal?" — she'll say, "Yes, I'm seeking asylum," and that's when the asylum application kicks in.

Inskeep: Was the United States obliged to let her in at the port of entry when she showed up without a visa?

Chishti: Yes. Anyone on U.S. soil who expresses a fear of returning to their country on the basis of five protected classifications of U.N. protocol, we have the obligation to let them in to pursue their asylum applications.

[The five protected classes are race, religion, nationality, political opinion and membership in a particular social group.]

Inskeep: I understand that people from different countries may claim different kinds of status when they get to the United States. Does this person get anything special for being from Venezuela?

Chishti: Well, she would have had a much better status if she had applied from abroad. Four countries — which include Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela — President Biden last year gave them an unusually special treatment that nationals of those countries can fly in directly to the U.S. under a provision called parole.

Parole is a status. Someone who arrives on parole has lawful status, and they're also authorized to work. She could have done that, [but] for that, you need a U.S. sponsor that will support you while you're here. She didn't do that, so she doesn't fall in that category. Therefore, she has no choice but to apply for asylum.

Is it easy for migrants to enter the U.S.? We went to the border to find out

Inskeep: Does she have an opportunity to work legally during the couple of years she'll be waiting for a hearing in the United States?

Chishti: Under the law, once you put in an asylum application, within six months of that, you get the right to work.

Inskeep: Alejandro Mayorkas, the secretary of homeland security, was impeached by House Republicans earlier this year for allegedly overusing the power of parole — actively letting people into the United States. What is the power of parole?

Chishti: The power of parole is as old as at least World War II, when we let in most refugees fleeing from Europe to enter the United States — mostly Jewish and some Pentecostals. And [the] idea is that, in the absence of any other provision of the law which will allow someone to enter — like you don't have a student visa, you don't have an employment visa, you don't have a family visa — but the administration thinks it's in the U.S. interest to let that person in, parole authority is one important authority given to the administration. It's used for humanitarian purposes or for exigent circumstances.

It's true that this administration has used the parole authority more extensively than any administration, and that is under challenge. And we'll see how the courts rule on that.

Inskeep: Has it become very simple to get years in the United States simply by showing up in any fashion and saying, "I want asylum?"

Chishti: Well, that's true. That's sort of why many people think that the border crisis is actually an asylum crisis. That just invoking the word "asylum" then lets you enter the U.S. Then you are sent for a hearing, which may [not take place for] years. And then at the end of that hearing, even if you're not granted asylum, the chances of being removed are very low. All of those factors have become pull factors. So therefore, getting the asylum processing and adjudication under control, which means efficient and timely decisions, is critical to send a message that just because you want to invoke the word "asylum" doesn't mean you will stay in the U.S. for years on end.

Inskeep: You're saying there is a legal process. It can be followed. It plausibly even could work. But the number of people arriving has overwhelmed it.

Chishti: That's right. The only thing I would add is we have rules, regulations, resources and staffing for a border challenge of the 2008 era.

That was an era when the border challenge was single Mexican males trying to sneak their way into the United States. No element of the definition is true today. More people are non-Mexicans, more people are family units, and almost all are not sneaking in but asking for asylum. That fundamentally changes the nature of the challenge.

But we don't have the resources or the laws or regulations to meet that. And I think one of the ways to reduce the backlog is not to send new cases to immigration judges. It's an overwhelmed system. To send more cases to an already backlogged system is the definition of insanity. We believe that all new asylum cases should be sent to asylum officers who are civil servants trained in country conditions, and they can finish a case in months as against years. Only then can we make a real dent in the processing of asylum cases.

Inskeep: Muzaffar Chishti, thank you so much.

Chishti: Thanks so much for talking to me.

The audio version of this story was produced by Lilly Quiroz. The digital version was edited by Obed Manuel.

Correction May 8, 2024

An earlier version of the photo caption in this story misspelled Marian Araujo's name as Marion Aroujo. It has been corrected.

Immigration and the United States Essay

Gelatt, Julia et al. “Navigating the Future of Work: The Role of Immigrant-Origin Workers in the Changing U.S. Economy”. Migration Policy Institute , 2020, Web.

The report illustrates the role immigrants play in the evolving U.S economy. The authors begin the text by indicating that the foreign nationals were responsible for the 83% country’s labor force growth between 2010 and 2018. The document projects that the group is crucial to the developments in the working-age population through 2035. The strength of the information lies in its in-depth analysis of immigrants’ racial and ethnic challenges and their effect on the country’s future workforce. The authors are policy analysts at the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) and, therefore, make the contents credible.

MPI. “Amid U.S. Demand for Higher Skills and Education, Credentialing Immigrant-Origin Adult Workers Could Be Key” . 2019, Web.

The press release by MPI attempts to explain the increasing importance of adult immigrants in the United States’ workforce. The document predicts that the country will be short of about 8 million workers by 2027 because the current native employees are aging. On the other hand, the approximated number of immigrants in the region is 58 million, and the group is projected to be the main source of the future labor force. Unfortunately, more than half of this population lacks post-secondary education, which is crucial for an effective workforce. The source is essential to the study because it gives statistical evidence of the need for education among immigrants to improve their contribution to America’s human resource.

Sherman, Arloc et al. “Immigrants Contribute Greatly to U.S. Economy, Despite Administration’s “Public Charge” Rule Rationale” . Center on Budget and Policy Priorities , 2019, Web.

The “Public Charge” rule was developed to deny immigrants who have the potential of being a liability to the county from gaining entry. This law assumes that most foreigners are poor and are likely to cause financial constraints for the government. However, it does not consider the positive contributions the foreign nationals make to the country. Consequently, the report evaluates the impacts they have on the economy. The authors illustrate that immigrants work at higher rates than the natives and occupy close to two-thirds of most industries. The authors are professionals in immigration services and policies, and therefore are classified as credible sources.

According to Gelatt et al., the United States is ranked as the largest hub for immigrants globally. However, even though it is faster and easier for foreigners to assimilate in the U.S, the immigration policy has become a matter of debate in the region. Most of the arguments revolve around the cultural and financial implications of the movement. However, economic analysts argue that there is little evidence to show that the increase in foreign labor has reduced the number of jobs in the country. On the contrary, immigration has more positive impacts as it leads to better occupational specialization. However, most foreign nationals have insufficient education and find it hard to maximize their potential in America’s workforce. Therefore, the federal government needs to integrate learning opportunities into immigrant policies to equip them fully.

The primary objective of education is to give individuals the required knowledge to help them contribute effectively to a country’s economy. Consequently, highly educated immigrants are assets in the United States’ labor force. According to Gelatt et al., foreign employees are the future of the U.S. human resources because they work at higher rates and represent the highest number of staff members in most industries. Consequently, placing them at the same educational level as the native population will improve their efficiency and create a reliable workforce. Similarly, MPI’s report suggests a link between degree and non-degree credentials and the economic results among adult immigrants. Workers who are not of American origin will improve their skills with the attainment of the right education.

Conversely, immigrants with low or no educational qualifications are a liability to the American economy. One of the greatest challenges among U.S residents is communication because the inhabitants are from various parts of the world, yet the official and national language is English. According to Gelatt et al., most food restaurants and hotels are run by foreigners, particularly Latina. Unfortunately, the lack of education makes it difficult for these individuals to speak eloquently, slowing down businesses. MPI agrees with concern and indicates that English proficiency is another hindrance to obtaining credentials among immigrants besides legal status. Lack of education makes it difficult for foreign nationals to survive in America, which further affects their contributions to the economy.

Consequently, there is a need for sustainable solutions that will empower immigrants with regard to education. Gelatt et al. acknowledge that the future of American jobs will require middle and high-skilled individuals and, therefore, suggest affordable vocational schooling for minority families. This strategy will ensure all immigrants get a chance to take their children through schools comfortably. The press release by MPI, on the other hand, indicates that 16.7 million immigrant adults lack proficiency in English because they have not attained post-secondary education. The institution suggests that employers offer skills training that focuses on the English language. Creating affordable learning programs and training immigrant employees positively impacts the U.S. workforce.

From the report and press release by the MPI, it is clear that the future of the job market will be more demanding, affecting immigrants in the workforce. Gelatt et al. state that industries are bound to embrace automation, reducing low-skilled jobs. Unfortunately, Sherman et al. indicate that the birth rate among Native Americans is low, which means that the country’s future economy is in the hands of foreign nationals. Consequently, the government must develop strategies to ensure the immigrants gain middle and high-level job skills.

Immigrants do not have to go to public and private universities to be profitable in the U.S. economy. MPI suggests that non-degree credentials are enough to make positive labor returns. Additionally, according to Sherman et al., foreign nationals with licenses and certifications in occupations, including chefs and barbers, demonstrate higher labor force involvement levels. The immigrant federal department is responsible for ensuring the members acquire the credentials they require to participate in the nation’s economic developments.

The hard work among foreign nationals in America is seen in the increased competition level among them and Native Americans in the job market. Gelatt et al. attribute this development to the increased equal learning opportunities in academic institutions. Research indicates that immigrants’ children are attaining more education and even earning more than their parents (Sherman et al.). Second-generation foreign nationals are the future of the United States’ economy, and the government must ensure they are presented with equal opportunities in schools and the job market.

The American government has the responsibility to ensure immigrants have sufficient learning experiences to equip them for America’s future economy. Highly educated foreigners have proven to be competitive occupying the same positions as natives in the job industry. On the other hand, those who have not attained post-secondary education struggle to survive because they lack English proficiency and cannot express themselves well in the workplace. The future of the U.S. economy appears to be bright, but this dream’s actualization highly depends on empowering and educating immigrants.

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IvyPanda. (2022, February 25). Immigration and the United States. https://ivypanda.com/essays/immigration-and-the-united-states/

"Immigration and the United States." IvyPanda , 25 Feb. 2022, ivypanda.com/essays/immigration-and-the-united-states/.

IvyPanda . (2022) 'Immigration and the United States'. 25 February.

IvyPanda . 2022. "Immigration and the United States." February 25, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/immigration-and-the-united-states/.

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Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Immigration and the United States." February 25, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/immigration-and-the-united-states/.

• Literacy Challenges at the Postsecondary Level
• The Postsecondary System Critique
• Tuition Assistance and Funding of Post-secondary education in Ontairo
• Immigrants in Different Parts of the World
• Islamophobia in Germany: Related-to-Immigrants Issues
• Second Generation Immigrants and American Culture
• Nativism of the 19th and Modernity
• Immigrants Assimilation Into America

What one thing do you remember most about Donald Trump’s presidency?

In April as part of the New York Times/Siena College survey, we called about 1,000 voters across the country and asked for their most prominent memory of the Trump years. Here’s what they said, in their own words.

“ His honesty ”

Trump supporter in 2024

“ His lies ”

Biden supporter

“ He had the country headed in the right direction ”

Trump supporter

“ America was going in the wrong direction ”

“ He was a crook ”

“ He couldn’t be bought ”

“ Efficient ”

“ Incompetent ”

“ Less division ”

“ Divided the country ”

The One Thing Voters Remember About Trump

By Christine Zhang ,  Sean Catangui and Alex Lemonides

The 2024 election will be in part a battle over memories, perhaps more than in previous presidential races because it’s a rare rematch. And memories aren’t necessarily static — what is happening today can influence those memories.

Two of the biggest U.S. news events in decades, the Covid pandemic and the Jan. 6 storming of the Capitol, are seldom the first thing on people’s minds when it comes to their memories of the Trump administration, for example, according to an April Times/Siena survey of registered voters nationwide .

When asked to describe the one thing they remembered most from Donald J. Trump’s presidency, only 5 percent of respondents referred to Jan. 6, and only 4 percent to Covid.

“It’s the salience of issues today that color the memories that people have of Trump,” said John Sides, a professor of political science at Vanderbilt.

The importance of issues of the moment may explain the large number of responses about the economy as opposed to Covid or Jan. 6, which have largely receded from the headlines.

Thinking back to when Donald Trump was president, what one thing do you remember most about Donald Trump’s presidency?

Trump’s behavior

The economy

Immigration

Foreign policy

Based on a New York Times/Siena College poll of 1,059 registered voters conducted April 7 to 11, 2024.

Top six categories shown.

Because of recency bias — a tendency to focus on recent events instead of past ones — people typically feel their current problems most sharply. And they tend to have a warmer recall of past experiences, which can lead to a sense of nostalgia. Like past presidents, Mr. Trump has enjoyed a higher approval rating of his time in office in retrospect.

Voters who shared negative memories of the Trump years overwhelmingly mentioned aspects of his behavior and personality, while the bulk of positive memories were about the economy.

Over a third of voters shared a positive memory. The same percentage shared a negative one. (Some memories could not be clearly categorized.) The Trump and Biden campaigns are sure to try to emphasize and remind voters of the memories favorable to them.

Here’s a closer look at some of the respondents’ most common memories of Mr. Trump’s years in office.

Comments from voters who said what they remembered most was Trump’s behavior

“ He was the biggest liar ever ”

Biden supporter in 2024

“ His dislike for Black people ”

“ The terrible things he did to women ”

“ Chaos and corruption ”

“ The disgrace he brought to this country ”

“ His direct way of doing business ”

“ I remember him using Twitter a lot ”

“ He got things done and fulfilled campaign promises ”

Selected responses from a New York Times/Siena College poll of 1,059 registered voters conducted April 7 to 11, 2024.

About two-thirds of the comments about Mr. Trump’s behavior and personality came from voters who said they would support President Biden in November.

Voters tended to speak about Mr. Trump’s personality traits in general terms, rather than recalling specific memories. These respondents were most likely using the question as a vehicle to express their views of Mr. Trump, in addition to or instead of calling to mind a specific memory, Mr. Sides said. Their answers are “a mixture of opinion and, maybe, memory,” he said.

For example, some referred to him as a liar. Others said they remembered him as sexist or racist. Dozens of voters simply replied “chaos.”

Biden supporters were far more likely to cite Mr. Trump’s behavior and personality than any specific issue. Some of them may have spoken about Mr. Trump generally because of the multitude of controversies during his time in office, Mr. Sides said. “If you don’t like Trump and your memory of Trump is essentially a negatively colored memory, it’s easier to sum it up in this fairly broad way by just critiquing him as a person,” he said.

Relatively few voters cited positive memories of Mr. Trump’s behavior and personality. Those who did typically used a common refrain: that he “got things done” or “did what he set out to do.”

This could, again, be a way for voters to express an opinion without a specific memory.

It could also reflect a persona that Mr. Trump has honed at rallies and in campaign communications, said Seth Masket, a professor of political science at the University of Denver. These recollections are not necessarily “bound by reality,” he said. “They’re images. They’re reputations.”

Comments from voters who said what they remembered most was the economy

“ The economy ”

“ The economy was a little better than it is now ”

“ The economy was in a lot better shape than it is now ”

“ Gas was cheap and we were using our own oil ”

“ That he gave out the stimulus checks ”

“ Tax cuts for the rich ”

“ The tax cuts ”

“ Good economy, no wars ”

Voters who cited the economy as their top memory largely looked back on the Trump years as a time of prosperity. A large share of these comments came from Trump supporters, many of whom said, generically, “the economy.”

“A lot of that is kind of a response to what people perceive as a not good economy now,” Mr. Masket said. Memories of a thriving Trump-era economy could reflect the salience of lingering inflation as an issue faced by President Biden today.

Presidents don’t have as much influence over the economy as many voters assume. For example, most rich countries like the U.S. experienced inflation spikes and then declines in inflation as the pandemic wound down, and economists have generally praised the U.S. recovery . But many voters are typically worried about economic signals right in front of them in the moment.

The many responses mentioning lower gas prices under Mr. Trump, for example, were a way for voters to draw a contrast between the two candidates. “In 2020, when no one could travel, gas prices were very low,” Mr. Masket said. Higher gas prices were “one of the most notable features of inflation” during the pandemic recovery, he added.

Comments from voters who said what they remembered most was immigration

“ He saved our country and closed the border ”

“ The wall ”

“ Started the wall on the border ”

“ His promise to build a wall ”

“ He did attempt to start building the wall ”

“ He did something about the border ”

“ Putting children in cages ”

The Biden administration has grappled with the surge in illegal crossings along the border with Mexico, making it an issue with higher salience. Trump supporters who remembered Mr. Trump’s immigration politics tended to cite his promises to build a wall along the border and his hard-line approach to border security, things they saw as standing in contrast with Mr. Biden’s approach.

The small number of Biden supporters in the survey whose main memory of Mr. Trump was about immigration almost all mentioned Trump-era policies that led to family separations at the border.

Comments from voters who said what they remembered most was Covid or Jan. 6

“ When he refused to turn over power ”

“ He should be in jail for the Jan. 6 incident ”

“ Involvement with the Jan. 6 riot attack on the capital ”

“ Jan. 6 and his unwillingness to accept the election results ”

“ His anti-science views; he called Covid a liberal hoax ”

“ He called Covid-19 a hoax and was a constant liar ”

“ Total incompetence in handling the Covid-19 crisis ”

“ Negligence in providing accurate Covid information ”

The fading of Covid and Jan. 6 from people’s memories about Mr. Trump — less than 10 percent of survey respondents mentioned them — is still surprising, Mr. Masket said. “In many ways, the most recent things about his presidency are not the things that people remember about him,” he said.

Voters may be loath to revisit unpleasant memories of the pandemic, he said. This helps Mr. Trump in some ways. “Trump almost gets a pass,” he said, adding, “He just gets, ‘Well, the first three years were good and the fourth year wasn’t his fault.’”

Thoughts of Covid and Jan. 6 could have informed other answers, even if voters didn’t cite them specifically, Mr. Sides said. For instance, voters could have been thinking of these events when giving responses mentioning Mr. Trump’s lies or chaos and division during his time in office.

Comments from voters who said what they remembered most was foreign policy

“ No new wars ”

“ Knew how to talk to foreign people and keep peace with everyone ”

“ Peace in the Middle East ”

“ World peace ”

“ Stability among nations ”

“ Opening up communication with North Korea ”

“ Threatening nuclear war against North Korea ”

“ Probably when he made peace with North Korea and he was the first president to step foot on Korean soil ”

A handful of voters in the survey, mostly Trump supporters, looked back on the Trump years as a time of peace. This may be because of the two major international conflicts — the Israel-Hamas war and the Russia-Ukraine war — that are dominant in the public consciousness today. As with responses about the economy and immigration, these responses may reflect an implicit critique of Mr. Biden’s handling of foreign policy.

A few voters — both Biden and Trump supporters — specifically mentioned North Korea in their top memory of Mr. Trump as president, in particular his meeting with the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, at the Demilitarized Zone.

More About the Times/Siena Poll

You Ask, We Answer: How The Times/Siena Poll Is Conducted

The New York Times/Siena College Poll has earned a reputation for accuracy and transparency. But as with any poll, there are limits to just how much you can derive.

By The New York Times

There is time for perceptions to shift before November, and for other issues to take hold. (The survey was conducted before the start of Mr. Trump’s Manhattan criminal trial.)

In the battle over memories, the Biden campaign will be trying to remind voters of some older ones that reflect poorly on Mr. Trump.

In April, Mr. Biden shared a video on social media of Mr. Trump’s suggestion to inject disinfectant during the early days of the pandemic. And on Tuesday, the Biden campaign released a digital ad that interspersed Mr. Trump’s criticism of immigrants along with images of crying women and children.

“If people are mostly thinking about the economy, that seems to be helping Trump right now, and what the Biden team is going to try and do is keep raising other issues, keep raising, you know, Jan. 6 as an issue or chaos and Covid as an issue,” Mr. Masket said.

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Our Coverage of the 2024 Election

Presidential Race

A partisan battle in Ohio has stalled an effort by state lawmakers to ensure that President Biden is on the ballot  in the state this November, teeing up what could be an expensive and protracted legal battle ahead of this year’s election.

Donald Trump told a group of oil executives and lobbyists that they should donate $1 billion to his presidential campaign  because, if elected, he would roll back environmental rules that he said hampered their industry.

Biden announced the creation of an A.I. data center in Wisconsin , highlighting one of his administration’s biggest economic accomplishments in a battleground state — and pointing to a significant failure by former President Donald Trump.

Mexico Prepares for a Trump Win:  Behind the scenes, the Mexican government is talking to people close  to the Trump campaign about proposals such as a threat of a “universal tariff” on imported goods, and working to resolve trade disagreements before the U.S. election.

R.F.K. Jr. Signature Gatherers:  More than half a dozen New York City residents described encounters with people seeking  their signature who did not make clear that their aim was to place the independent 2024 candidate on the ballot.

Sensing Shift on Abortion:  Are Latinas — once considered too religious or too socially conservative to support abortion rights — changing their views on the issue? Demorcats are optimistic .

A Wild Card in Texas:  Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the independent presidential candidate, expects to be on the ballot in Texas. His addition could lend a hand to the Democratic challenger seeking to unseat Senator Ted Cruz .

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The history of South Asian American immigration wouldn’t be the same without the ports of Philadelphia

The city was one of the main ports where Bengali Muslim 'laskars' would jump ship and then go on to work in steel mills in Bethlehem or Chester.

“[Philadelphia] … is known as the cradle of American liberty,” wrote George Franklin in 1920. “So it was quite in keeping with the tradition of this city to have given a stirring welcome to the Indian revolutionists who paraded the streets on Sunday, Sept. 5, with their Republican flags and banners of red, gold and green.”

This passage appeared in Franklin’s essay, “Philadelphia Rings the Liberty Bell of India” in t he Independent Hindustan: A Monthly Review of Political, Economic, Social and Intellectual Independence of India .

The Liberty Bell, where the freedom fighters congregated, is the first stop on the Revolution Remix walking tour by the Philly-based South Asian American Digital Archive. As the tour progresses, participants hear the stories of Amar Gopal Bose, the South Asian Philadelphian entrepreneur who started the Bose Corporation (of sound system fame), and Anandibai Joshee , the first South Asian woman to become a doctor and who studied at the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania.

These stories, among others, are part of SAADA’s mission to shed light on the underwritten histories of South Asian immigration in the U.S., specifically in Philly.

When the walk gets to the Race Street Pier, the guide pulls out an article from The Inquirer, dated Dec. 25, 1903. The headline reads: “While Christians sing ‘Peace on Earth,‘ Lascars on Tanker at Point Breeze Will Cry ‘Allah Il Allah,’ Because the Day Is Their Sabbath.”

“That year,” SAADA executive director Samip Mallick said to The Inquirer, “Eid and Christmas happened to correspond … And so the story talks about the shift workers on the ‘dark side’ of Philadelphia cooking a special meal for Eid.”

“While Christians in this Christian city are dining … the Mohammedans will partake of their staple food, rice and currie ,” the article reads before explaining the cooking procedure. “The result is said to be a most savory mess that is a favorite of not only the dusky seamen, but of their fellow tars of other nationalities.”

The Inquirer’s mention of South Asian seamen called “laskars” or “lascars” (mainly from the present-day territories of India and Bangladesh) working on British and European ships goes back to the mid- to late-1800s. There was an uptick around the 1910s when the British started using steam ships “and used their colonial laborers to do the really awful industrial work in the belly of the steam ships,” said historian and filmmaker Vivek Bald, whose book Bengali Harlem and the Lost Histories of South Asian America formed the historical basis for the new documentary In Search of Bengali Harlem , which he codirected with the film’s protagonist Alaudin Ullah.

“It was really grueling work … And these men were essentially finding ways to jump ship in the United States … there was a demand for their labor because of [World War I],” said Bald, an associate professor at MIT. “The men started to build these clandestine networks in the 1910s to help other ship workers to jump ship and to find work on shore.”

“I call it kind of like an underground railroad,” said actor and comedian Ullah, whose father, one of these seamen, moved to New York City’s Harlem in the 1920s, where a large community of Bengali men settled after marrying African American and Puerto Rican women.

His father’s story forms the spine of the documentary that premiered on PBS’ America Reframed last night. “They felt Harlem was a place of refuge. Yes, it’s got a reputation of being wild, crazy, and violent … drugs,” said Ullah, an alum of New Hope’ s Solebury Boarding School. “But [this] was during the Harlem Renaissance. My father talked about going to the Palladium and seeing Coltrane.”

Once the Bengali men jumped ship, they’d often travel to the Midwest, taking up jobs in steel mills in Youngstown, Ohio, or the auto industry in Detroit. “But one of the main steel mills where a lot of the ship jumpers worked was at Bethlehem Steel in Bethlehem, Pa., or the shipyards in Chester,” Bald said.

Inquirer journalists would report on the laskars’ food habits and rituals — taking note of their goat sacrifices, prayer practices, and hairstyles. “One of the strangest religious ceremonies ever witnessed in this city took place yesterday on board the German steamer Guthenfels when a live sheep was sacrificed in accordance with the rites of their faith in the presence of a crew of lascars,” reads a report from May 1906.

“It is then that you start seeing in the census records, entire groups of men from this population of ship workers,” Bald said. “In places like Harlem, often the men were categorized as Black. In Bethlehem, most of these South Asian men were working alongside immigrants from Eastern Europe. And the Indians were classified as white.”

The need to excavate this immigration history, Ullah said, is because there is little mention of it when we speak of South Asian history of America and, by default, American immigration history.

There is some writing on the North Indians who came to California in the early 20th century until the Immigration Act of 1917 (Barred Zone Act) was passed. “And then there was just this assumption that no one was here until 1965, when the Immigration and Nationality Act was passed,” Bald said. This act paved the path for “highly skilled” immigrants and professionals from India to come to the States.

“That law was written to favor engineers and doctors and professionals. What gets lost in that understanding of the South Asian American story is that ... in that entire period between 1917-’65, there was a sizable working class migration from South Asia to the U.S., but they were undocumented,” Bald said.

“When they were passing the Immigration Act of ‘65, my father’s friends wrote to [the] government saying, ‘While it’s great that you’re bringing in academics, please don’t neglect the working class, the people who are coming from places like Bangladesh or [other] third-world nations that need America as a place where they can also have an opportunity,” said Ullah, whose father worked in Indian restaurants in New York.

“These men were essentially stateless,” said Bald. “Their homeland was under British colonial rule and the United States had passed racist anti-Asian immigration laws that rendered them ‘illegal’ as soon as they set foot in the U.S. … It was African American and Puerto Rican communities that did welcome them, that lived up to the national promise of acceptance and inclusion.”

For Ullah, his family’s story is also one of finding community with African Americans and building solidarity. “South Asians in many ways were rescued and nourished and nurtured by African Americans, so that they could become Americans with dignity,” said Ullah.

“In Search of Bengali Harlem” is currently streaming on PBS’ World .

More information about SAADA’s Revolution Remix walking tour can be found on its website .